Remembering An Apostle of Love, by Theora Meyers

This past Sunday I was led to purchase an old book, written in 1902 about a pastor in Barnstaple, UK, who served there well over 70 years until he passed in his 90's.

His name, Robert Cleaver Chapman. He was an Apostle of LOVE.

"He became legendary in his own time for his gracious ways, his patience, his kindness, his balanced judgment, his ability to reconcile people in conflict, his absolute fidelity to Scriptures his loving pastoral care."

He knew that the Word faithfully and prayerfully preached transforms people!

He said, "My business is to love others, not to seek that others shall love me." When people got mad and withdrew from him he pursued them, doing everything he could to be at peace with them. He called them "brethren dearly loved and longed for" (from Phil 4:1). He considered that their consciences were not guided by the Word of God, and that their consciences led them to refuse his fellowship and to deprive him of theirs.

Robert was disturbed by the phenomenon of Christian celebrity in his day and didn't want people thinking more highly of him than they ought to think. He'd say, "What is most precious in the sight of God is often least noticed by man."

With his ministry partner, they always conferred together, waiting on God for His mind. They lay their unity before God for His perfecting. Therefore, there was no strife or bitterness between them. He knew the fruit of obedience: it kept the unity of the Spirit, in lowliness and love.

He encouraged others to be firm and courageous to do and suffer the will of God, and to do and look at everything in relation to God. His prayer was, "May God find His banqueting table in my heart."

It was fascinating to look at a godly man's life and long for mine to align as his was—to live in the peace and joy that he did, impacting many along his path. He cared not who.

I pray for us all:

"Father, in these days of much change where we feel the waves of discontent all around us, give us Your peace. Thank You for the example of Your dear servant Robert Chapman, who loved You with constant devotion all his days. May we be ones who walk empowered by Your Spirit, as Your own children, full of love, exhibiting grace, courage, meekness, love, self-denial, tenderness, perseverance, gentleness, with a deep love for souls. May these attributes be beautifully blended together in beautiful symmetry.

Father, make us each one of Your stars, with no ebb and flow, ready for anything, eager to walk in Your will. Shine Your LIGHT through Your Word, to guide us and bring a holy fear of You so we never compromise it. May we never hinder the fellowship of Your saints.

And Father, MAY YOU FIND YOUR BANQUETING TABLE IN OUR HEARTS. Amen."

—Theora Meyers, Hearts on Fire Ministries and House of Intrepid, Alberta, Canada