The love of Jesus Christ is a profound and transformative force that compels and constrains those who embrace it. His love is not merely a legal obligation but a tender, timeless affection that draws us into His bosom, cherishing us even while we were yet sinners. This love, as a foundation of our relationship with Him, offers eternal security, holding us in His hand where no one can snatch us away, though we can choose to walk away by not responding to His embrace. Jesus Christ, as the Head of the church, embodies this love that should guide us to repent and remain where we are, rather than seeking solutions by moving from group to group. His love, which changed Paul's perspective and life, urges us to live not for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again, transforming our carnal views into spiritual understanding. Participation in His life is the source of all good, and abiding in His love is the means to experience this goodness, fostering a relationship of mutual affection and submission. His love calls us to follow Him as sheep follow their shepherd, with a docile and submissive attitude, not resisting or acting adversarially. This love, expressed through commandment-keeping, is not just a duty but a heartfelt response of gratitude for His embrace and the truth He imparts. The ultimate goal is to strive toward the pinnacle of love He exemplified, always doing what pleases the Father, and to focus on this most important relationship rather than seeking external solutions for internal unrest. When we fail to prioritize this relationship with Jesus Christ, we risk smiting His body, the church, by criticizing or abandoning fellow brethren. Such actions are akin to smiting Him, as we are part of His body and a holy temple. The true solution lies in strengthening our bond with Him, recognizing that His love provides the stability and joy we seek, regardless of external circumstances or imperfections within any congregation.

The love of Jesus Christ stands as the foundation of glory and excellence, especially evident during the Feast of Trumpets, a day both solemn and joyous. On one hand, this day pictures terrifying world events and warfare threatening the extinction of all life, yet the loving Christ intervenes to prevent annihilation and ongoing suffering caused by satan's influence and human sins. On the other hand, it heralds great rejoicing for the faithful firstfruits who have answered God's calling and submitted to His government, as the loving Christ begins to establish and reward them as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. The love of Christ is vast and immeasurable, described by the Apostle Paul in terms of width, length, depth, and height, akin to the dimensions of a great temple. The width of His love reaches the whole world, embracing all nations and breaking distinctions of race or ethnicity, offering divine mercy to sinners far from God. The length of His love stretches from eternity to eternity, unchanging and unbroken, a constant line that never despairs of us, patiently bearing with our follies as illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. The depth of His love descends to rescue us from sin's degradation and satan's grip, seen in what He did by humbling Himself from divine glory to human form, and in what He suffered through hatred, mockery, and agony on the cross for our sake. The height of His love elevates us to heavenly places, making us heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, uniting us with Him to share in His eternal glory. This love of Christ surpasses human knowledge, yet Paul prays that we may comprehend its vastness and lay hold of it, to live in its four dimensions and be filled with the fullness of God. It is a love that casts out fear of judgment, delivering the mind from anxiety when fully embraced. Despite its immeasurable nature, it is our responsibility to learn as much as we can about it, to meditate on it, and to rejoice in its eternal and transformative power.

God is love, and this truth defines His very nature. His love, known as agape, reflects a willful direction toward humanity, always seeking what is best for us, even when it differs from our desires. As John 3:16 reveals, God so loved the world that He gave His Son as a sacrifice, providing a path for reconciliation and justification through repentance. This love is not merely an emotion but an outgoing concern, marked by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity in His dealings with us. His overarching plan is philanthropic on the grandest scale, aiming to elevate mankind to participate in the Kingdom of God. Love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we reflect His Spirit and take on the nature of our Father. Those who reflect this love demonstrate they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. God's love stands in stark contrast to the hatred, greed, and wrath that stem from another source. Despite the turmoil and suffering in the world, which may cause some to question His love, God allows humanity to learn through experience, holding a higher future in store for us. His love is evident in the world He has created, in the rain that falls on both the just and unjust, in His patience, and most profoundly in sending His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, even when we were ignorant of or opposed to His way. We perceive God's love through the ultimate act of Him laying down His life for us, as expressed in I John 3:16. In response, we are called to lay down our lives for one another, loving others both within and outside the church as God loves us. By doing so, we perfect His love in us, growing in His nature and moving toward perfection. This love, when actively applied in our relationships, completes us and aligns us with His character, allowing us to stand boldly before Him. Perfect love casts out fear, and though we may face apprehensions in this world, we are to work on perfecting our love, faith, and trust in God, knowing He will help us. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love is not ours but God's love within us. As the Father and the Son love, so must we strive to love our fellow man. If we harbor hatred toward others, we lack God's love. True disciples of Jesus Christ are identified by this love for one another, a sign as significant as keeping the Sabbath. Our calling is to become like Him, reflecting His patience, kindness, longsuffering, wisdom, courage, thoughtfulness, concern, and willingness to serve, thereby embodying the true love of God.