Love For Christ

We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

    Many make an outward show of love for Christ who do not love him. However, some who profess to know Christ and love him make it very plain that they do not. The Word of God reveals that more do not love him than do. Many profess to know and love him who consistently reveal their lack of love for Him, his Gospel, and his church, by their careless, inconsistent behavior, and attitude toward the things of God. The former can be counterfeited, but the latter cannot.

    What I am saying is this: an unbelieving church member can have all the outward evidences of being a lover of Christ, or he (or she) may not. But a true lover of Christ will manifest the evidence outwardly which comes from a heart of faith and love. Eventually, in God’s time, both will be revealed.

    Those that love Christ love his Word. God’s Word is their Food from heaven. His Word reveals Christ, being all their hope and salvation. Job said, I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. The Word of God is precious to those that love Christ. His Word is their Light, their Lamp, their comfort, and their daily Manna from God.

    Those that love Christ love the preaching of the Gospel. Meeting together with others that love him to hear of their Redeemer is not something they do when there is nothing else to do, or when it does not infringe upon what is pleasing to the flesh. Lack of love for Christ, his Gospel and his church is one of the first signs of apostasy. Those that love Christ desire to be faithful and committed to his Gospel and his work in whatever way they can that will honor and glorify Him. This is their life.

    Those that love Christ love his church. They love other believers. They have a desire for the good of the body. The brotherhood of the children of God is closer than earthly family ties—If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26).

    Those that love Christ desire to be in the company and fellowship of other believers and communicate with them, sharing, comforting, encouraging, edifying, and rejoicing with them in the things of God, and bearing each others burdens in times of trials and suffering. Our Lord asked Peter, Do you love Me? It would a good thing to ask our self this same question. Like Peter, all those who know him love Him.