Some of the most zealous ecclesiastics have been loveless men. They have ostracized many of the choicest saints of God-- always pleading the maintenance of principles and order. Some they have slandered, and even slain or burned. It is not without profound significance that the only mention of the assembly in the gospel and epistles of John fixes our attention on that place-loving ecclesiastic Diotrephes. Was he marked by "love to all the saints"? Truly he was prominent in his zeal for casting brethren out of the assembly! but, in all his zealousness, Did he love the brethren? Nay; his zeal was evil and not good.

To overstep the mark in ecclesiastical procedure is a serious matter; and the zeal of many has carried them far beyond the instructions of the Scriptures. They have meted out to devoted saints that which is for "wicked persons." Behold the result on every side! Nevertheless, the real need not be surprised, for all was foretold, and "love to all the saints" is still the hallmark.

It is most significant that the very last words of the Spirit in the Bible are, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints" (Revelation 22:21)! After all the failure has been shown, this is the Spirit-expressed desire of the heart. Christ loved all the saints, and gave Himself for all. He loved the assembly-- not just a part of it-- and gave Himself for it. Viewed as the body, we are all alike members; and it is said, "The members should have the same care one for another."

A few of the members have no authority to form an independent company of their own. As the bride of Christ, the whole assembly will be presented to Himself in glory. As the house of God, all are now built together for a habitation in the Spirit. As the flock, the whole assembly was purchased by the blood of Christ. Those who follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, and call on the Lord together out of a pure heart, according to 2 Timothy 2, must of necessity maintain these unalterable facts practically.

Where mercy is not blended with truth, there can be no prosperity. Mercy and truth are met together in Christ; and it is said, "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee, for thus thou shalt find favor and good understanding (or success) in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:3-4). Through our Lord Jesus Christ "grace and truth subsist" now, and when we receive of His fullness, it is not truth upon truth, but "grace upon grace" (John 1:16-17).

Therein lies the secret for our spiritual success today. Ecclesiastical law-givers are often more stringent and burdensome than Moses; but it is indeed a double-dyed ministry of condemnation and death. Neither we nor our fathers were able to bear it. Those who were zealous for the law and for the temple, when Christ was here, condemned His hungry disciples for plucking and eating corn on the Sabbath. The Lord pointed out what David did when he was hungry; also that the priests of necessity profaned the temple on the Sabbath days and were blameless, adding, "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless" (Matthew 12:7).

Is mercy rightly understood? Is grace rightly valued and shown? And love which "never fails," from which grace and mercy flow, how much is it appreciated? John spoke of "love in the truth," and of mercy, grace and peace "in truth and love" (2 John 1:1,3). It is this beautiful and blessed conciliation of divine qualities which is so necessary, and yet seems to be so lacking among those whom the apostle constantly speaks of as "brethren," and to whom he so often says, "Love one another."