Wisdom Vault — onlinknow.co.za

; and is never deserted in the dark hour of trial. The glory of Divine Love can only be re- vealed in the heart that is chastened by sorrow, and the image of the heavenly state can only be perceived and realised when the lifeless, formless accretions of ignorance and self are hewn away.

Only that Love that seeks no_ personal gratification cr reward, that does not make distinctions, and that leaves behind no heart- aches, can be called divine. Men, clinging to self and to the comfortless shadows of evil, are in the habit of thinking of divine Love as something belonging to a God who is out of reach; as something outside themselves, and that must for ever remain outside.

Truly, the Love of God is ever be- yond the reach of self, but when the heart and mind are emptied of self then the selfless Love, the supreme Love, the Love that is of The Realisation of Selftess Love 145 God or Good becomes an inward and abid- ing reality.

And this inward realisation of holy Love is none other than the Love of Christ that is so much talked about and so little comprehended. The Love that not only saves the soul from sin, but lifts it also above the power of temptation.

But how may one attain to this sublime realisation? The answer which Truth has always given, and will ever give to this question is,—“ Empty thyself, and I will fill thee.” Divine Love cannot be known until self is dead, for self is the denial of Love, and how can that which is known be also denied?

Not until the stone of self is rolled away from the sepulchre of the soul does the immortal Christ, the pure Spirit of Love, hitherto crucified, dead and buried, cast off the bands of ignorance, and come forth in all the majesty of His resurrection.

You believe that the Christ of Nazareth was put to death and rose again. I do not say you err in that belief; but if you refuse to believe that the gentle spirit of Love is crucified daily upon the dark cross of your selfish desires, then, I say, you err in this unbelief, and have not yet perceived, even afar off, the Love of Christ.

K 146 The Way of Peace You say that you have tasted of salvation in the Love of Christ. Are you saved from your temper, your irritability, your vanity, your personal dislikes, your judgment and condem- nation of others? If not, from what are you saved, and wherein have you realised the transforming Love of Christ?

He who has realised the Love that is divine has become a new man, and has ceased to be swayed and dominated by the old elements of self. He is known for his patience, his purity, his self-control, his deep charity of heart, and his unalterable sweetness.

Divine or selfless Love is not a mere senti- ment or emotion; it is a state of knowledge which destroys the dominion of evil and the belief in evil, and lifts the soul into the joy- ful realisation of the supreme Good. To the divinely wise, knowledge and Love are one and inseparable.