The Bible emphasizes that loving the Lord Jesus Christ is essential for salvation, with Paul even declaring those who do not love Him to be accursed.
In 1 Corinthians 16:22, Paul states, 'If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha.' This strong sentiment underscores the importance of affection for Christ in the context of salvation. Without love for Jesus, one demonstrates a rejection of His lordship, which leads to eternal condemnation. As Paul wrote previously in Galatians 1 about the nature of the gospel, questioning the motives lie behind a rejection of Christ's true message. True love for Christ manifests in one's willingness to embrace His gospel and reject any alternatives that are not aligned with His teachings.
Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 1:8-9, John 21:15-17, 1 John 4:10, John 14:15, Romans 8:7, 1 John 3:22-24
Commentary