Topical Bible: Love to Christ: should be in Proportion to Our Mercies

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The concept of love to Christ being in proportion to the mercies we receive is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of gratitude and devotion. This principle is reflected throughout Scripture, emphasizing that our love for the Savior should correspond to the manifold blessings and mercies He bestows upon us.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently teaches that our love for Christ should be a response to His love and mercy toward us. In 1 John 4:19, it is written, "We love because He first loved us." This verse underscores the idea that our love is a reaction to the divine love initiated by Christ. The mercies we receive from Him are numerous, encompassing salvation, grace, forgiveness, and daily providence.

Parable of the Two Debtors

A poignant illustration of this principle is found in the Parable of the Two Debtors, as recounted in Luke 7:41-43. Jesus tells of two individuals who owed money to a creditor; one owed a large sum, and the other a smaller amount. When neither could repay, the creditor forgave both debts. Jesus then asks, "Which of them will love him more?" Simon Peter answers, "The one who was forgiven more." Jesus affirms this response, highlighting that greater mercy received should result in greater love.

Mary Magdalene's Devotion

Mary Magdalene's actions further exemplify love in proportion to received mercies. In Luke 7:47, Jesus says of her, "Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Mary's profound love and devotion to Christ were a direct response to the immense mercy she experienced through His forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul's Example

The Apostle Paul serves as another model of this principle. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul acknowledges his past as a persecutor of the church and marvels at the mercy shown to him: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for this very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience." Paul's life and ministry were marked by an intense love for Christ, fueled by the recognition of the great mercy he had received.

Practical Implications

For believers, understanding that love for Christ should be proportional to the mercies received has practical implications. It calls for a life of gratitude, worship, and service. Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This verse suggests that our response to God's mercy should be a total commitment to Him, reflecting our love through obedience and service.

Conclusion

While a conclusion is not provided, the scriptural evidence and examples clearly indicate that love for Christ should be a natural and proportional response to the mercies He bestows upon us. This love is not merely an emotional response but is demonstrated through a life of devotion, gratitude, and service, acknowledging the depth of His grace and mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 7:47
Why I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... consists in his love, and therefore it should be valued ... Love is quick and impatient,
active and observant. If you loved Christ, you would keep his commandments ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

God's Love to Fallen Man
... and longsuffering, together with our faith, and love of God ... swallows up all the rest,
and should never be ... ever have known "the unsearchable riches of Christ.". ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 59 gods love to.htm

Love's Logic
... If we could but recognise this, we should become as flames ... upon Jesus, and know beyond
a doubt his love immutable ... or swim, I have no hope but in Christ, my life ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/loves logic.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... suffering, together with our faith and love of God ... swallows up all the rest, and
should never be ... men could ever have known "the unsearchable riches of Christ.". ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

Job's Regret and Our Own
... If in the dead of the night you should hear thieves ... to others generally discover
that there is little love in the ... Shall I be an injury to the cause of Christ? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/jobs regret and our own.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... And is it not meet that we should each and all ... Since Christ became martyr as well
as Redeemer, has there ... world, and that the world does not love them because ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

Examples of the Various Styles Drawn from Scripture.
... be present to answer it, or lest, if it should occur to ... two members: "Owe no man
anything, but to love one another ... but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 20 examples of the various.htm

The Duty of Remembering the Poor
... Now, we show our love to Christ when we sing of him and when we pray to him; but
if there were no poor people in the world we should often say within ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the duty of remembering the.htm

Heaviness through Manifold Temptations
... of ourselves, without which we should perish everlastingly ... ye are partakers of the
sufferings of Christ." On this ... faith and hope increase their love also; both ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 47 heaviness through manifold.htm

Pardon and Peace
... black and dreadful crime; who fears lest God should take his ... of duty, of justice,
of purity, of love, of a ... for ever in the world to come; if Christ be formed ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxix pardon and peace.htm