(From the Gospel Advocate, Vol. LI, #20, May 20, 1909)

It must be concluded from 1 Pet. 1: 22, 23, that a man in his fleshly, unsaved state is incapable of the love which God expects His own children to have toward one another, for the heart out of which this love is to come is divinely purified by faith and in obedience to the truth. This is the necessary’ antecedent and condition.          

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently.”

And this is the necessary basis of the commandment: a spirit begotten anew. “Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.” Made thus “partakers of the divine nature,” that nature begins to stir within him; and its foremost tendency is love, for God who begat it is love. Therefore, John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4: 7, 8.)

So, this thing cannot be had apart from God nor apart from getting into the right attitude of faith and obedience from the heart toward God. Be not deceived.

-R. H. Boll