profit or lose by it. The divine footprints that we follow in seeking righteous love show us that it is universal and extends to all creatures. “He letteth his sun shine on the wicked and the good, and sendeth rain to the just and the unjust.” To partake of the love of God man must follow these footprints. They will guide him in love, from one love to another by a consideration of creatures and protecting them.
The great work of the redemption of the human race was also universal, and if we had accepted it universally, believed, and followed in love the footsteps of Christ we would be firmly grounded in it. We would understand with the Saints the length and breadth, the depth and height of such endless love, and would know and realize that the love of Christ is better than all knowledge. All Christians are called upon to follow in Christ's footsteps, and to do this in love He has left us an example. (I Peter ii, 21; John xiii, 13-17, and other places.)
But as we accept all this, yet follow the footprints of the world in lust of the eye and the flesh and vain life, we may hope for little growth in the love of God, be it whoever it may, no matter what his titles, and if he have the most Christian title in the world. “For whoever loveth the world loveth not the Father.” (I John ii, 15.) The love of this world is not undefiled. Nor does it lead to a love of humanity. It leads only to what is mine or thine. So long as mine and thine are secure, the love of this world remains; but should self-love and glory suffer, war and turmoil begin at once.
