Topical Bible: Love to Christ: They Who Have: Enjoy Communion With God and Christ

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The love for Christ is a profound and transformative affection that believers hold towards their Savior. This love is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated commitment that influences every aspect of a believer's life. Those who possess this love are granted the privilege of enjoying communion with both God and Christ, a fellowship that is both intimate and sustaining.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures affirm that love for Christ is a defining characteristic of true discipleship. Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23). This promise highlights the reciprocal nature of love between the believer and the divine, where obedience to Christ's teachings is both a demonstration and a result of love.

Communion with God and Christ

1. Intimacy with the Divine: Those who love Christ are invited into a unique relationship with God. This communion is described as a dwelling, where the presence of God and Christ becomes a constant reality in the believer's life. The Apostle John writes, "Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3), emphasizing the shared life and spiritual intimacy that believers experience.

2. Spiritual Nourishment: Love for Christ opens the door to spiritual nourishment and growth. Jesus, in His discourse on the vine and the branches, states, "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you" (John 15:4). This abiding relationship is marked by a continuous flow of spiritual vitality, where the believer draws strength and sustenance from Christ, the true vine.

3. Joy and Fulfillment: Communion with God and Christ brings profound joy and fulfillment. The Psalmist captures this sentiment, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). The love for Christ transforms the believer's experience of life, filling it with divine joy that transcends earthly circumstances.

4. Guidance and Wisdom: Those who love Christ are granted access to divine wisdom and guidance. The Holy Spirit, given to those who love and obey Christ, leads believers into all truth (John 16:13). This guidance ensures that the believer walks in the light, avoiding the pitfalls of sin and error.

5. Assurance of Salvation: Love for Christ provides believers with the assurance of their salvation. The Apostle Paul assures the Romans, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). This assurance is rooted in the unchanging nature of God's love and the believer's secure position in Christ.

Expressions of Love

The love for Christ is expressed through various means, including worship, prayer, obedience, and service. Worship becomes an act of adoration, where the believer's heart is lifted in praise and thanksgiving. Prayer is transformed into a dialogue of love, where the believer communes with God, sharing their deepest thoughts and desires. Obedience to Christ's commands is a natural outflow of love, as the believer seeks to honor and glorify their Savior. Service to others becomes a reflection of Christ's love, as believers are moved to act with compassion and kindness.

In summary, those who love Christ enjoy a rich and rewarding communion with God and Christ. This relationship is characterized by intimacy, nourishment, joy, guidance, and assurance, all of which stem from a deep and abiding love for the Savior.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our stayed with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Communion with Christ and his People.
... It is a grievous thing that full often love lies bleeding ... choose or reject: if we
are in Christ, it is ... communion in the outward ordinance, and they think they ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/communion with christ and his.htm

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... 1, 2 and xlvi.3, 4. And it is that love of God ... then every believing soul is one with
the Father as Christ is one, because he is the head and they the members ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
... Duty they perform through the influence of his love shed abroad in their hearts;
and they enjoy privilege by his love ... "For the love of Christ constraineth us ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter x covenanting a privilege.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren ... is often sent to buffet
them, lest they should be ... of God, when once the Lord Jesus Christ shuts the ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

More Light and Less Love
... the continual and watchful care with which they tried their ... hearts less free to delight
in Christ Himself, and ... of God" could say with deepest love and adoration ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xlviii more light and.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... as Christians, that is, as belonging to Christ, enjoy "The Communion ... But if they
look up to and love their Father ... follow the guidance of the Spirit, they are in ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

Robert Hall -- Marks of Love to God
... Estimate your character in respect to your love of God ... it in the spirit of their
mind; they stand apart ... least, in conspicuous conformity to Jesus Christ, and in ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/robert hall marks of.htm

Similitude of the vine and Branches. --The Law of Love. (John,
... enjoy the Divine life in communion with Christ, must be ... activity in communion with
him that they could prove ... he condenses all "the commandments" into love (v.9 ...
/.../section 276 similitude of the.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... Why should we go amongst them?" And they say quite rightly. ... if ye love religion for
her own sake, be consistent, and walk in the love of God ... Follow Christ Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... pant after the dust of the earth" (Amos 2:7). Never talk of your love to Christ,
says Ignatius ... If they have a south land, they care not for the water of life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm