5975. Love was then spoken of, but most of them did not know what love is, it was asked whether they knew, and because there were some of them who declared a belief in faith alone, certain did not wish to hear, saying that they did not care to know, since faith alone saves. Therefore it was said to them that love is spoken of many times in the Word, and indeed by the Lord, that it is to keep the commandments, for He said that he who keeps my words loves Me; he who does not, does not love [John 14:23-24]; and in Paul, that if there is the greatest faith and there is not love, it is still nothing [1 Cor. 13:2]. But they did not at all understand this, because they did not wish to understand. The nature of the church at the present day is evident from this.
Luke 7:24-28
24
When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
28
"For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
