The lesson is a long one

(J. R. Miller, "The Lesson of Love" 1903)

"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16

To learn how to love — is to learn how to live. The lesson is a long one — but it is the great business of life to master it. The Master not only taught the lesson in words — but also set it down for us in a life — His own life. To follow Christ is to practice this great lesson, learning more of it day by day — until school is out and we go home!

Christian love has to be learned. There is natural affection which does not need to be learned — the love of parents for children, of children for parents, of friend for friend. But it is not natural to love our enemies, to love unlovable people, to be unselfish, to return kindness for unkindness. We have to learn this love — and it is the great business of life to do it.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us — we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11