Topical Bible: Love to Christ: Manifested in Preferring Him to all Others

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The love of a believer for Christ is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, reflecting a deep, personal devotion that surpasses all other affections. This love is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate choice to prioritize Christ above all else, as demonstrated through Scripture and the lives of the faithful.

Biblical Foundation

The call to love Christ supremely is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Himself. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus declares, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" . This statement underscores the necessity of placing Christ above even the most intimate human relationships.

Similarly, in Luke 14:26, Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple" . The term "hate" here is understood as a hyperbolic expression, indicating that one's love for Christ should be so profound that all other loves are secondary by comparison.

Expressions of Love for Christ

1. Obedience to His Commands: Love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" . This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to His love and lordship.

2. Sacrificial Living: The apostle Paul exemplifies this love in Philippians 3:8, where he writes, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" . Paul's willingness to forsake all for Christ illustrates the depth of his devotion.

3. Enduring Persecution: The early Christians' willingness to suffer and even die for their faith is a testament to their love for Christ. In Acts 5:41, the apostles rejoice "that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" , showing their preference for Christ over personal safety and honor.

4. Devotion in Worship and Service: Love for Christ is also expressed through worship and service. Mary of Bethany's anointing of Jesus with costly perfume (John 12:3) is a vivid example of extravagant love and devotion, prioritizing Christ over material wealth.

Theological Implications

The preference for Christ above all others is not only a command but a reflection of the believer's transformation through the Holy Spirit. This love is a response to Christ's own love, as stated in 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us" . It is a love that grows as believers abide in Him, becoming more like Him in character and purpose.

Historical and Practical Considerations

Throughout church history, countless believers have exemplified this love by choosing Christ over worldly pursuits, relationships, and even life itself. The martyrs, missionaries, and saints who have gone before serve as powerful witnesses to the transformative power of loving Christ supremely.

In practical terms, this love calls believers to evaluate their priorities, ensuring that Christ remains at the center of their lives. It challenges them to live counter-culturally, valuing eternal truths over temporal gains, and to cultivate a relationship with Christ that is marked by intimacy, trust, and unwavering commitment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 10:37
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"That which we have Heard and Seen of the Word of Life, Declare we ...
... had been little to us, if not manifested to us ... for our Father dissembles not his
love, but proclaims ... face, and whom all men, even Christ's enemies, acknowledged ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii that which we.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... in ministering lies in the indolence manifested therein, and ... Christ's love and
friendship for ourselves should lead us to ... for the sake of the Christ within us. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

From the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus.
... "For if He shall be manifested,""that is ... the flesh;" so also after the flesh, in
the case of Christ, was His ... is, in love to God, in which you ought to love me ...
/.../who is the rich man that shall be saved/i from the latin translation of.htm

Thoughts Upon Self-Denyal.
... prosper in the World, yet howsoever when God had manifested his Pleasure ... that loves
the World at all in Comparison of Christ: For if any Man love the world ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon self-denyal.htm

Atonement.
... 1 John 3:5. "In this was manifested the love ... other, to evince his great and
disinterested love for his ... virtues than are exhibited in the atonement of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... when he has enmity and deceit at heart, preferring to let ... not nor thought of revenge,
but rather manifested love and good ... How could Christ approve such malice? ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

Proofs in Continuation, Extracted from St. John's Gospel the ...
... Others consider Him to have been manifested as a ... who separate Jesus from Christ,
alleging that Christ remained impassible ... if they read it with a love of truth ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiproofs in continuation extracted.htm

John iv. 40-43
... with signs, remain uncorrected; these, without signs, manifested great faith ... no great
love, and loves not Christ purely ... do all things because of thy love for Him ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxv john iv 40-43.htm

The Christian Described
... young." Only here thy wisdom will be manifested, to wit ... to be partakers of this love
of Christ, with all ... and good, can take but little comfort in this love. ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Seeketh not Her Own. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
... His love is manifested in two forms ... told, that "if any man have not the spirit of
Christ, he is ... Here you see that one leading peculiarity of this love is, that ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/seeketh not her own 1.htm