Willie Jamieson (1881 – 1974) – The Standard of God

We were all seated with Willie Jamieson one Spring day. He was his usual delightful self, telling interesting and funny stories; the climate was sunny and light.
 
When the meal was almost finished, his face became grave and gray. Suddenly, he blurted out, “You are harping on the Standard of God being this or that.” Do you have the faintest idea of what the standard is?
With his voice now lowered, he continued, “The Standard of God is this:
‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples if ye love one another.’ (John 13:34-35)”
Willie then asked us this question, “If we were living in the day of the apostles, and you knew Judas was a traitor, what would you do?”
He then added, “Would you run to every one in the church and warn them against Judas?”
But this is not what Jesus did. When they were all at the table, Jesus confirmed His love by giving Judas the sop which was an act of honor. No one knew that this man would sell his Savior for 30 pieces of silver. By treating this man as He did, Judas could never come back on Jesus at the Judgement day and say, “Because You were so harsh with me, You turned the Apostles against me so I could not repent.”
When in the garden as Judas approached with those with him, Jesus said, “Friend.” By this, Judas could never come back at the Judgment Day and say, “Because You were so harsh with me, I was afraid to repent, etc.” Judas was left in the picture until the Lord decided to remove him.
By this shall all men know you are My disciples, that ye love one another as I have loved you.
Willie concluded, “This is the Standard of the Kingdom of God and there is no other.”
Still ringing in my ears after all those years is, “This is the standard of God and there is no other.” This Standard accomplished by people that are born again, born of the Spirit by the Love of God.