Topical Bible: Love to Christ: Decrease of, Rebuked

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The concept of love for Christ is central to Christian faith, serving as a foundational element of a believer's relationship with the Savior. However, Scripture acknowledges that this love can wane, and such a decrease is met with rebuke and exhortation to return to fervent devotion.

Biblical Instances of Decreased Love

1. The Church in Ephesus: The Book of Revelation provides a poignant example of decreased love for Christ in the message to the church in Ephesus. Revelation 2:4-5 states, "But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Here, the Ephesian church is commended for its works, perseverance, and rejection of false teachings, yet it is rebuked for abandoning the fervent love it once had for Christ. The call to repentance underscores the seriousness of this spiritual decline.

2. Peter's Denial: Another example is found in the life of the Apostle Peter. Despite his initial bold declarations of loyalty, Peter's love for Christ faltered when he denied knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75). After His resurrection, Jesus gently rebukes and restores Peter by asking him three times, "Do you love Me?" (John 21:15-17). This interaction highlights the need for restoration and reaffirmation of love for Christ after a period of failure.

Theological Implications

The decrease of love for Christ is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual condition that affects the entire body of believers. It can lead to a loss of spiritual vitality and effectiveness in ministry. The rebuke serves as a divine warning to maintain a vibrant and passionate relationship with Christ, emphasizing that love is not static but requires continual nurturing and growth.

Exhortations to Renew Love

Scripture provides numerous exhortations to rekindle and maintain love for Christ. Believers are encouraged to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). This commandment underscores the totality and intensity of love that Christ deserves. Additionally, the Apostle Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith as you are being rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17), highlighting the importance of a deep, abiding love that is foundational to the Christian life.

Practical Steps for Renewal

1. Repentance: Acknowledging the decrease in love and turning back to Christ is the first step. As seen in Revelation 2:5, repentance is crucial for restoration.

2. Prayer and Scripture: Engaging in regular prayer and meditation on Scripture helps to rekindle love for Christ. The Word of God serves as a constant reminder of His love and sacrifice.

3. Community and Worship: Participating in communal worship and fellowship with other believers can reignite passion for Christ. The shared experience of worship and encouragement from fellow Christians can strengthen one's love for the Savior.

4. Service and Obedience: Demonstrating love through acts of service and obedience to Christ's commands is both an expression and a reinforcement of love. As Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

In summary, the decrease of love for Christ is a serious spiritual issue that is met with divine rebuke and a call to return to fervent devotion. Through repentance, prayer, community, and obedience, believers can renew their love for the Savior and maintain a vibrant relationship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 2:4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Finger-Posts
... gradually lessening obedience, then a gradually dimming vision, and that decrease
of both ... There for the first time she heard of Christ, of His love and death ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/finger-posts.htm

Matt. xi. 1
... to thy disciples, "He must increase, I must decrease?" [1515] Didst ... may we all attain,
by the grace and love towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxvi matt xi 1.htm

A Fall and a Recovery, 1800-1857.
... ran one fatal sentence, "for us to decrease in numbers ... It must have been the Spirit
of Christ." For those ... over all was poured the spirit of love and forgiveness ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii a fall and.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... If any man love the world, the love of the Father ... this our eager desire; may the
Lord Christ look upon ... what is of more consequence, with their decrease of faith ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... 1372]534, [1373]535; the foundation of love, [1374]535 ... of those raised from sin by
cry of Christ, [1506]414 ... of morrow, [1532]361; years of, decrease, not increase ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

What a Good Man Is, and How He Becomes So
... the self-sacrificing burst of brotherly love, which, whether ... separation, and to speak
of Jesus Christ to blank ... He must increase and I must decrease.' Then came ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/what a good man is.htm

The Value of Life
... Jesus Christ was the ... sordid, or even repulsive externals some qualities of love,
loyalty, heroism ... in social settlements seem to increase or decrease respect for ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter i the value of.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... the enemies of the cross of Christ in Dorchester ... both white and black, experienced
the love of Jesus ... the conference it appears there was a decrease of members ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... more private intercourse in society, the love of God ... This Year: 2,412; Last Year:
4,501; Decrease: 2,089 [4 ... promotion of the cause of Christ, the "protracted ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... I trust what still remains will gradually decrease till scarcely ... to forgive it as
God for Christ's sake forgives us ... each other mutually and to love one another ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm