Piety and Charity--two loves that cannot be separated

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
 

Matthew 22:37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The Lord Jesus summarized the whole moral law with two commandments: love God--and love neighbor. These two pillars of holy living reveal the essence of piety and charity. Though distinct, they are inseparable, for charity always flows from genuine piety.

Piety is our posture toward God. It is reverent devotion, a life bent Godward in worship, obedience, and holiness. To be pious, is to live with a constant awareness of God's majesty, to honor His Word above all human thinking, and to pursue holiness in the fear of the Lord. It is vertical love--love ascending upward to God.

Charity, by contrast, is love turned towards others. It is the visible fruit, of the invisible root of piety. John writes with piercing clarity: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother--he is a liar!" (1 John 4:20). Charity is expressed in mercy, generosity, patience, forgiveness, and tangible care for others, especially the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

Yet the difference between piety and charity must never be twisted into opposition. Many profess piety towards God, without charity towards others, but Scripture calls this hypocrisy (James 2:14-17). Others practice charity towards others, without piety towards God, but this is mere philanthropy--hollow before God. Genuine Christian charity must spring from true Christian piety, because the God we love, is the fountain of all love.

Therefore, the heart aflame with piety towards God, will overflow in charity towards others. A man who kneels in prayer before the Lord, will rise with hands ready to assist his needy brethren. The woman who delights in Jesus will, by that same delight, pour forth kindness, mercy, and selfless love to those around her.

Let us then pursue both. Let our piety deepen in worship, obedience, and holiness. Let our charity widen in mercy, generosity, and kindness. For the God who commands our devotion, also commands our compassion. He has joined together, what no man should separate: love for God, and love for neighbor.

Matthew Henry: "The law of love is one law, though it runs in two channels. The love of God is the fountain, and the love of our neighbor is the stream that flows from it."

Jonathan Edwards: "True piety in the heart, naturally disposes men to love their fellow men."

Lord, grant me a heart that trembles at Your Word and delights in Your presence. Let my love for You, overflow in love for others. May my piety be genuine, and may my charity be the fruit that proves it--all for the glory of Christ. Amen.

"This commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God (piety) must also love his brother (charity). 1 John 4:21