But whoever keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in him.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Let us see whether this same commandment be not called love. For we were asking, what commandments, and he says, But whoso keeps His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Mark the Gospel, whether this be not the commandment: A new commandment, says the Lord, give I unto you, that you love one another. John 13:34 — In this we know that we are in Him, if in Him we be perfected. Perfected in love, he calls them: what is perfection of love? To love even enemies, and love them for this end, that they may be brethren. For not a carnal love ought ours to be. To wish a man temporal good, is good; but though that fail, let the soul be safe. Do you wish life to any that is your friend? You do well. Do you rejoice at the death of your enemy? You do badly. But haply both to your friend the life you wish him is not for his good, and to your enemy the death you rejoice at has been for his good. It is uncertain whether this present life be profitable to any man or unprofitable: but the li...
But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. This confirms the previous statement, by way of antithesis. The word is spoken of in the singular number, because the law of love comprehends all others, just as a root implies the leaves and fruit, and the whole tree.
Perfect love is that which fulfils that command, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," &c. ( Matthew 22:37.) For he who observes the commands of God loves God with all his heart, though he may sin venially, which is a necessary evil in this life of corruption. But in this perfectness of Christian charity and life there are various grades. The first is so to love God with all the heart as never to offend Him mortally2. Never deliberately to offend Him venially, even for the sake of the whole world3. To renounce, for the love of God, the love of every creature, and to devote thyself entirely to His service as "religious" do. See, too, Rom. viii354. Not to think, wish, or love anything...
The charity of God is truly perfect. Notwithstanding his lesser failings, he retains the habit of charity and grace, by which he remains united to God.
And by this we know that we are in him; i.e. we are morally, though not absolutely, certain that we are in the state of grace. (Witham)
