Topical Bible: Love to Christ: Exhibited by Saints

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The love of the saints for Christ is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, reflecting a deep, personal devotion to the Savior. This love is not merely an emotional response but is demonstrated through obedience, worship, and a life dedicated to His service. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and exhortations regarding this profound love.

Biblical Foundations

The love for Christ is rooted in the recognition of His divine nature and redemptive work. In John 14:15, Jesus Himself states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" . This verse underscores the connection between love and obedience, indicating that true love for Christ is manifested in a life that seeks to follow His teachings.

Expressions of Love

1. Obedience to His Commandments: As noted in John 14:15, obedience is a primary expression of love for Christ. The saints demonstrate their love by aligning their lives with His will, striving to live according to His Word.

2. Worship and Adoration: The saints express their love through worship, both individually and corporately. In Revelation 5:12, the heavenly hosts proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" . This passage illustrates the adoration and reverence that characterize the love of the saints for Christ.

3. Sacrificial Living: Love for Christ often involves sacrifice, as believers are called to take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in Philippians 3:8, where he writes, "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" . This willingness to forsake all for the sake of Christ is a profound demonstration of love.

4. Service to Others: The love for Christ is also exhibited through service to others, as believers are called to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31). In Matthew 25:40, Jesus teaches that acts of kindness to others are acts of love toward Him: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" .

Examples from Scripture

· Mary of Bethany: In John 12:3, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, an act of extravagant love and devotion. Her actions demonstrate a deep affection and reverence for Christ, prioritizing Him above material possessions.

· The Apostle Peter: After his denial of Christ, Peter's love is reaffirmed in John 21:15-17, where Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love Me?" . Peter's affirmative responses and subsequent leadership in the early church reflect his restored love and commitment to Christ.

· The Early Church: The believers in the early church exhibited their love for Christ through communal living, sharing their possessions, and enduring persecution for His name (Acts 2:44-47; Acts 5:41). Their unity and sacrifice were powerful testimonies of their devotion to the Lord.

Theological Implications

The love of the saints for Christ is both a response to His love and a reflection of His character. As 1 John 4:19 states, "We love because He first loved us" . This love is transformative, compelling believers to live lives that honor and glorify Christ. It is a love that transcends mere sentiment, manifesting in tangible actions and a steadfast commitment to the Savior.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Because Nothing Can Separate Believers from the Love of Christ.
... The time when our Lord's Love will be fully exhibited and publicly displayed ... nothing
shall or can separate any believer from the Love of Christ, not one ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/6 because nothing can separate.htm

The Patience of Christ.
... for stones to be made bread, He exhibited still His ... His disciples and how He bore
with them in love. ... even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the patience of christ.htm

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
... as having had their eyes closed, and the people to whom a vision or covenant was
addressed, being exhibited as unable ... "For the love of Christ constraineth us ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter x covenanting a privilege.htm

Rom. xv. 25-27
... labor, and were managers of a workshop, exhibited such profuseness ... the munificence
in money, the love of Paul, the charm (philtron) they found in Christ. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm

Attributes of Love.
... and how incessantly did this attribute of his love manifest itself ... any feature of
the character of God and of Christ is more strikingly exhibited than this ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... more adore the matchless splendor of his love, the marvels ... temple; that his handiwork
has been exhibited upon us, and that we are built together with Christ? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... of the present day, which is merely exhibited in evangelical ... It is the argument of
love and affection ... like Christ, you are of Christ, and shall be with Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

John Chapter xvi. 12, 13
... For although the sacramental privileges of believers are not exhibited to them ... breadth,
and height, and depth, even to know the love of Christ which passeth ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcvi john chapter xvi.htm

John Chapter xxi. 19-25.
... of the Lord, which we wish to be exhibited in our ... as loving more, but less beloved;
because Christ loveth us ... such as it then shall be, we love less, because as ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiv john chapter xxi.htm

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... Or how shall magnanimity be exhibited, unless after contumely and ... shall be able to
separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ [4246] .' For ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm