| Things to Live For |
Chapter 10 |
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We all have seen people of this kind. They have no patience with other people’s opinions unless they agree with their own. They allow no discussion; for there can be no other right thought about a matter when they have made up their mind upon it. They quickly resent any expression of opinion that differs from their own. When they have spoken on a subject, there is to be no tolerance of any new light. There are people of this kind in every community. Their knowledge is dogmatic, tyrannical, intolerant. When it has rendered its decision concerning any course of conduct or any question of duty, there is no appeal. Knowledge settles it.
St. Paul intimates, however, that knowledge does not always have the final word in settling questions of duty. There is another element which may have a preponderating influence in deciding what is right; – love must have its voice. It is in such cases as he is supposing that knowledge puffs up. It makes a man vain, arrogant, cold, and selfish. But love builds up.
The two figures in St. Paul’s sentence suggest a puffball and a temple. The first is showy, but light, empty, without solidity. A breath can blow it away. A child’s hand can crush it. It is a mere piece of inflation. But the other is strong, substantial, beautiful, enduring. The work that knowledge alone does in a life not good work. It lacks cohesion. It is flimsy, insecure. Knowledge is good when love dominates it, vitalizes it, and uses it; but love must always be the real builder.
Life is full of illustrations of this truth. Without love there is no true work on character. Knowledge alone does not give us the skill we need in order to be a blessing to others. We may know that a person is undeserving. We have helped him before, and nothing came of it. We know that nothing will come of any further help we may give him. He deserves only to be thrust our and left to drift. That is what knowledge says. But love comes in, and says, “Give him another chance.” It overlooks his past falls and failure, and again extends a helping hand. No matter how often help has been given to no purpose, it must be given again. Love says the man is a brother, and never should be given up. Perhaps he may yet repent and pray, and turn to God. There may be a spark remaining in the smoking lamp, and a breath may fan it into a flame. So love toils on unweariedly, never despairing, and has its reward at last in a life saved for God and heaven. Thus love builds up, where mere knowledge leaves a life to perish.
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