The Importance of Love to Christ
S. Lavington. 1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. I. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY AND EMINENTLY LOVELY, AND IS THEREFORE TO BE LOVED. Consider the nature and actings of this grace. 1. If Christ be considered as able to do that for us, and communicate that to us, which we want, love is evinced by desire. The believer cannot be satisfied without Him. 2. If He be considered as having already manifested Himself to the soul, then love exerts itself in a way of delight. "Whom having not seen, ye love," etc. 3. As Christ has an interest to be carried on in the world, love displays itself in zeal for His honour. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." 4. If we consider Christ as offended with our sins, and having suffered for them, love manifests itself in grief and sympathy. "I am crucified with Christ," says the apostle, "and I could not do less." 5. If we consider Christ as glorified in heaven, love expresses itself in joy and triumph. II. NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THIS AMIABLENESS IN CHRIST, THERE ARE SOME WHO NO NOT LOVE HIM. Such persons have — 1. No real esteem for the Saviour. "Unto you that believe, He is precious." 2. No true faith in Christ. 3. No obedience and subjection to Christ. " If a man love Me, he wilt keep My words." III. ALL WHO LOVE NOT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, ARE CHARGEABLE WITH AGGRAVATED GUILT, AND EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO THE SEVEREST DISPLEASURE OF GOD. Because — 1. He is so dearly beloved of God. 2. He is so lovely and desirable in Himself. 3. He has given the most astonishing proofs of His love to sinners.Consequently the want of love to Christ will be destructive of religion here, and happiness hereafter. This one defect destroys the excellency and life of all religion. Without love, faith is dead, repentance legal, fear slavish; and all duties void of this principle are vain. As to future happiness, heaven is a place of love; and to entertain one person there who is not a lover of Christ, would disturb the order and break the harmony of that blessed society. Conclusion: — 1. Love to Christ may be easily discovered. (1) By the current of your thoughts. What persons love, they think much upon; and the pleasant image is continually before them. (2) By the care of your lives. Can you say that to you to live is Christ? Now, then, let conscience do its office, and it will easily tell you whether you love Christ or not. 2. Not to love Christ is a crime of tremendous guilt, which is attended with dreadful aggravations; for — (1) It is a sin without cause. It admits of no reason or excuse. (2) It is also a sin against many causes. (3) It is the cause of many other sins. (S. Lavington.) Parallel Verses KJV: If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. WEB: If any man doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!