How do we know that our affections can be directed towards Christ?

The direction of our affections toward Christ is not a self-generated effort but a work of divine grace. The Lord draws our hearts through His loving manifestations, such as a gentle word, a sweet promise, or a glorious truth. This captivating of the heart by Christ's love allows us to instinctively channel our affections toward Him. It is essential to recognize that these affections do not arise from obligation, but from a heartfelt attraction to the beauty of Christ as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

In the process of spiritual transformation, when we see Christ as the source of every blessing, our natural inclinations begin to shift away from the earthly and toward the divine. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process by taking the things of Christ and applying them to our souls. This divine revelation births an affection that finds its rightful place in Christ, highlighting the truth that as our understanding of Him deepens, so too does our love for Him.