#121 Two kinds of love

From Meditations on the Epistles of John, by Samuel Froehlich

Concerning our love of our fellow men, the world, which is surely very selfish and partial in its love, reproves the children of God for uncharitableness because they do not regard all men in a like manner, as brethren in Christ, but witness that the world in its sin and unrighteousness is not of God but of the devil and therefore cannot come to God and be saved. Just as God loves His own children (namely as a father) in a way that is different from the way in which He loves the world, so the children of God also make a distinction in their love of their brethren in Christ and their love of all other men, although they love these too and seek to save them, even in spite of the world’s hatred, and sacrifice their own life because they look to the end and the judgment.

For although Christ came the first time as a Savior of the World, to reconcile the world to God and to save the lost, He will still come the second time as a judge of the World and as an Avenger of Disobedience and a Rewarder of Obedience, and then will separate, right and left, the sheep from the goats, and although the goats are of the same generation (race, i.e., according to name they are Christians too) that the sheep are of, the lot and judgment of the two nevertheless will be entirely different, for to those at His left He will say: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

And why?—It is indeed terrible to hear. Not because they have been thieves, murderers, adulterers and the like, but because they have not done the good—have not served Him in charity in the least of His brethren. "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat," etc. Now if that is the measuring rod of the future judgment, we can easily conclude on which side the greater number will stand: those who have or those who have not done this! Therefore the enlightened and prudent children of God follow the rule:

(Colossians 3:23-24) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.