2 Corinthians 13:11-14 Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace… I. THE HIGHEST CHARACTER OF GOD. "Love and peace." 1. Love is the highest attribute of any character. Higher than — (1) Power. Mere animals have power, but not love. (2) Wisdom. 2. "Peace." Wherever there is real love, there is peace. The stronger the love, the more essentially pacific the soul. Peace implies — (1) Freedom from remorse. Wherever there is a sense of guilt, there can be no true peace. (2) Freedom from fear. Fear causes the soul to quiver as an aspen-leaf in the wind. (3) Freedom from selfishness. A selfish heart can never be at rest; it is as the tide in the ocean. Jealousy, anger, pride, revenge, all of which are the offspring of selfishness, are antagonistic to peace. He is absolutely free from all these: hence He is a God of peace. II. THE HIGHEST COMPANION FOR MAN. "The God of love and peace he with you." No companion — 1. So tender. In all our affliction He is afflicted. 2. So wise. He knows all about us: What we have been; what we shall be. He can solve our problems, clear all our perplexities, baffle the machinations of all our enemies. 3. So constant. Human companions are constantly leaving us, either by change or death. But He will never. 4. So enduring. The greatest sorrow of earth arises from the loss of endeared companions. But no bereavement can tear Him away from us. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
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