ACC ~ John 14 v15

TO LOVE IS TO SUBMIT TO CHRIST

CHRYSOSTOM: At all times it is works and actions that we need, not a mere show of words. It is easy for anyone to say or promise something, but it is not so easy to act on that word or promise. … “If you love me,” Christ said, “keep my commandments.” … I have commanded you to love one another and to do to one another as I have done to you. To love me is to obey these commands and to submit to me, your beloved. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 75.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:273-74**.

PAINTING A PORTRAIT OF LOVE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Having determined and expressly declared that the enjoyment of the heavenly blessings (supplied, that is, through him by the Father) is both due to those who love him and in very truth shall be theirs, he immediately goes on to describe the power of love. He provides excellent and irreproachable instruction to us for our profit with the intent that we should devote ourselves to its pursuit. For even if a person says that he loves God, he will not immediately merit credit for having true love of God, since the power of virtue does not stand on bare speech alone, nor piety on naked words. Rather, it is distinguished by performance of good deeds and an obedient disposition. Keeping the divine commandments is the best way to give living expression to our love toward God. It presents the picture of a life lived in all its fullness and truth. It is not a life sketched out in mere sounds that flow from the tongue. It gleams instead with the altogether radiant and brilliant colors that paint a portrait of good works. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9.1. [1]

[1] LF 48:298-99*.

THERE IS NO LOVE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT

AUGUSTINE: How, then, did the apostles love, but in the Holy Spirit? And yet they are commanded to love him and keep his commandments before they have received him and, in fact, in order to receive him. And yet, without having that Spirit, they certainly could not love him and keep his commandments. We are therefore to understand that he who loves already has the Holy Spirit, and by what he has he becomes worthy of a fuller possession, that by having more he may love more. The disciples, therefore, already had that Holy Spirit whom the Lord promised, for without him they could not call him Lord. But they had him not as yet in the way promised by the Lord. … He was yet to be given them in an ampler measure. [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 74.1-2. [2]

[1] At Pentecost.

[2] NPNF 1 7:334**; CCL 36:513.