Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. The love which Christ entertains for His people is an affection the nature and extent of which can be learned only from a consideration of the causes which produce it. I. THE FOUNDATION OF THAT LOVE WAS LAID IN ETERNITY. II. CHRIST LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE HAS DONE AND SUFFERED SO MUCH FOR THEIR SALVATION. He purchased them with His blood. From the birth to the death of His people He watches over them with unremitting attention. He forgives their sins, alleviates their sorrows, sympathises in their trials, heals their backslidings, wipes away their tears, listens to their prayers, intercedes for them with His Father, enables them to persevere, and accompanies them through the valley of the shadow of death. All this care and attention naturally tends to increase His love for them. III. CHRIST LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BECAUSE THEY ARE UNITED TO HIM BY STRONG AND INDISSOLUBLE TIES. The union between Christ and His people is presented under various figures — bride-groom and bride, vine and branches, head and members, soul and body. The bond of this union on our part is faith, but the union itself is formed by the appointment of God. IV. CHRIST LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BECAUSE THEY POSSESS HIS SPIRIT AND BEAR HIS IMAGE. Similarity of character always tends to produce affection, and hence every being in the universe loves his own image whenever he discovers it. Christ loves His own image in His creatures because it essentially consists in holiness, which is of all things most pleasing to His Father and Himself. V. CHRIST LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BECAUSE THEY REJOICE IN AND RETURN HIS AFFECTION. It is the natural tendency of love to produce and increase love. Even those whom we have long loved on account either of their relation to us or of their amiable qualities become incomparably more dear to us when they begin to prize our love and return it. Improvement: 1. This subject may enable every one to answer the important question, Does Christ love me? 2. If Christ loves those who love Him, then He will love those most who are most ready to return His affection, to do all things, and to suffer all things for His sake. 3. How happy are they who love! What happiness, then, must they enjoy who love and are beloved by the infinite fountain of love, God's eternal Son! 4. These truths afford most powerful motives to induce sinners to love Christ. (E. Payson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.WEB: I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. |
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