Topical Bible: Love to Christ: should be Supreme

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of love for Christ being supreme is a central tenet in Christian theology, emphasizing the preeminence of devotion to Jesus above all other affections and commitments. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who consistently highlighted the necessity of prioritizing one's relationship with Christ above all earthly ties and desires.

Biblical Foundation

1. The Greatest Commandment: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus articulates the greatest commandment, which underscores the supremacy of love for God. "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment'" (Matthew 22:37-38). While this commandment directly refers to God, the New Testament reveals the divinity of Christ, thus extending this supreme love to Him.

2. Love for Christ Above Family: Jesus explicitly taught that love for Him must surpass even familial bonds. In Matthew 10:37, He states, "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 radical call to discipleship demands that followers place their allegiance to Christ above all other relationships.

3. The Cost of Discipleship: The call to supreme love for Christ is further illustrated in the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says, "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" . This hyperbolic language emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing Christ above all else, even one's own life.

4. The Example of the Apostles: The apostles exemplified supreme love for Christ through their actions and teachings. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:8, expresses this sentiment: "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 the sake of Christ underscores the preeminence of love for Him.

5. The First Love: In the book of Revelation, the church in Ephesus is admonished for abandoning its "first love" (Revelation 2:4). This rebuke serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a fervent and supreme love for Christ, warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency.

Theological Implications

The supremacy of love for Christ is not merely an emotional or sentimental attachment but a comprehensive commitment that encompasses obedience, worship, and devotion. It demands that believers align their priorities, values, and actions with the teachings and example of Christ. This supreme love is transformative, compelling Christians to live lives that reflect the character and mission of Jesus.

Practical Application

1. Daily Devotion: Believers are encouraged to cultivate their love for Christ through regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and participation in communal worship. These practices help to deepen one's relationship with Christ and reinforce His centrality in their lives.

2. Sacrificial Living: Supreme love for Christ often requires sacrifices, whether in terms of time, resources, or personal ambitions. Christians are called to demonstrate their love through acts of service, generosity, and self-denial, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ.

3. Witness and Evangelism: A supreme love for Christ naturally overflows into a desire to share the gospel with others. Believers are motivated by their love for Christ to bear witness to His saving grace and to invite others into a relationship with Him.

In summary, the call to love Christ supremely is a foundational aspect of Christian discipleship, demanding that believers place Him above all else in their lives. This love is characterized by devotion, sacrifice, and a commitment to living in accordance with His will.

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

The Love of the Departing Christ
... Is there any reason why we should be afraid of saying that the universal love of
Jesus Christ, which gathers into His bosom all mankind, does fall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the love of the departing.htm

Pleasing Christ
... Thoughts, affections, purposes, efforts, and all should crown Him King ... return for
the gift of a whole Christ, I give ... were woven out of the cords of love and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pleasing christ.htm

The Trial of Peter's Love to Christ.
... It was important that this matter should be determined, that the other disciples ...
If he had the love of Christ dwelling in him, and that love was supreme ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xiii the trial of.htm

That Christ came into the World, not Only to Instruct Us, but Also ...
... holds that as they have no power to love, so neither ... they have no need to be regenerated
in Christ because they ... But God forbid that I should glory save in the ...
/.../chapter ix that christ came.htm

The Realization of Selfless Love
... self-seeking, should suffer defeat, humiliation, and misfortune; that they should
pass through ... of holy Love is none other than the Love of Christ that is so ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

Love
... fire kindled in the affections, whereby a Christian is carried out strongly after
God as the supreme good. ... If Christ should have said to us, I love you well ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 2 love.htm

Of the Threefold Prayer of Christ, that we Might be one with God
... OF THE THREEFOLD PRAYER OF CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE ONE ... But you should also observe
that His prayer, as it has ... and their own virtuous life; for the love of God ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xiii of the threefold.htm

To Gregory xi
... the seventh canto of the Paradiso, it represents the supreme effort of ... For you, as
the Vicar of Christ, should rest in your own place. ... Sweet Jesus, Jesus Love. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi 2.htm

Showing How the Inward Man Should Exercise Himself, that He May be ...
... man, who has health amidst all miseries, should feel himself ... In this essential love
through the unity which he has ... the soul of our Lord Jesus Christ, which yet ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter viii showing how the.htm

On the Atonement.
... appeal that this is a "reasonable service?" Would not this love of Christ constrain
you? ... Did He die for all that they which live should not henceforth live ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm