Topical Bible: Love to Christ: Pray for Grace to Those Who Have

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Introduction

The love for Christ is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, reflecting the believer's devotion, commitment, and relationship with Jesus Christ. This love is not merely an emotional affection but a profound, transformative allegiance that influences every aspect of a believer's life. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of this love and the necessity of praying for grace to sustain and deepen it in oneself and others.

Biblical Foundation

The love for Christ is rooted in the Great Commandment, where Jesus states, "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 exclusivity of the love that believers are to have for Christ, surpassing all other affections and loyalties.

In John 14:15, Jesus links love for Him with obedience: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" . This connection highlights that genuine love for Christ is demonstrated through a life of obedience and submission to His will.

Praying for Grace

Recognizing the challenges and spiritual warfare that can hinder one's love for Christ, the New Testament encourages believers to pray for grace. Grace is the divine assistance and empowerment that enables believers to maintain and grow in their love for Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently prayed for the spiritual growth and perseverance of the early Christians, as seen in his letters.

In Ephesians 3:16-19, Paul prays for the believers, "that He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" . This prayer emphasizes the need for divine strength and understanding to fully grasp and live out the love of Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in nurturing and sustaining the believer's love for Christ. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us" . The Spirit not only initiates this love but continually renews and deepens it, enabling believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ.

Intercessory Prayer for Others

Believers are also called to intercede for one another, praying that others may receive the grace needed to love Christ more deeply. In Philippians 1:9, Paul expresses his prayer for the church: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight" . Such intercessory prayers are vital for the spiritual health and growth of the Christian community, fostering a collective love for Christ that strengthens the body of believers.

Conclusion

The love for Christ is a dynamic and essential aspect of the Christian faith, requiring continual prayer for grace to sustain and deepen it. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of intercessory prayer, believers can grow in their love for Christ, living lives that reflect His love and glory.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... end (glorification) – indeed each time we pray about () you ... knowledge and in all
earnestness and in the love. ... will." Rather, faith comes as Christ speaks His ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Test of Discipleship
... work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently;
believe more fully ... No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

That we Ought to Offer Ourselves and all that is Ours to God, and ...
Imitation of Christ. ... and all that is ours to God, and to pray for all. ... and contention,
and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish brotherly love. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix that we ought.htm

A Word for the Persecuted
... In the first confidence of your love to Christ you go and ... I will tell you what perhaps
you will do, though I earnestly pray that you may do no such thing. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a word for the persecuted.htm

Grace Abounding
... You and I forget to pray for the sun's light, but ... believe that God will bless my
mother; that Christ will pity ... there is none in them; the grace and love of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/grace abounding.htm

Love's Labours
... great labour is in "hoping all things." Love never despairs. ... Pray the Lord to visit
and save them; and always ... Will you despair of anybody since Christ did not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and ...
... Tell me, I pray, how that man, when assumed into unity ... foundation of the world, unless
in displaying his love when he was reconciled by the blood of Christ? ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 christ rightly and.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... the Father, [5738] He would, as His first act of advocacy, pray the Father ... Fresh
supplies are drawn by faith, but continuance in the love of Christ is the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

1 Timothy ii. 4-Feb
... was separated to be a "teacher of the Gentiles," why dost thou refuse to pray for
them ... us, we hold back, [1178] and are not in earnest in our love of Christ. ...
/.../homily vii 1 timothy ii.htm

Of the Lack of all Comfort
... any near and beloved friend for the love of God. ... rather hard exercises, and to undertake
severe labours for Christ. ... O Lord, will I cry, and will pray unto my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix of the lack.htm

Unrestrained Communion
... and to pray to be kept from turning to Egypt for help ... from the love of God, which
is in CHRIST JESUS our ... give all the substance of his house for love, it would ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section vi unrestrained communion.htm