Assessing Growth in Love for Christ and His Commands
Assessing Growth in Love for Christ and His Commands
Assessing growth in love for Christ and obedience to His commands is a vital aspect of Christian discipleship. The Bible emphasizes the importance of loving Christ and following His commands as a demonstration of one's faith. According to 1 John 3:23, "this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another" [2].
The New Testament links love for Christ to obedience to His commands. Jesus Himself says, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love" [6]. This obedience is not a means to earn Christ's love but rather a response to it. As John Gill notes, "to such that observe the commandments of Christ he will continue to make further discoveries of his love" [7].
One way to assess growth in love for Christ is by examining one's obedience to His commands. The apostle John writes, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments" [5]. This obedience is not limited to outward actions but also involves a deepening love for Christ and a desire to follow Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various ways love to Christ is exhibited, including seeking Him, obeying Him, ministering to Him, and preferring Him above all others [1].
Growth in love for Christ is also linked to growth in holiness. The Bible teaches that believers are called to holiness, and this call is tied to their love for Christ. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, "Christ desires holiness for his people" [3]. This holiness is not just a static state but a dynamic process of growth, as 2 Peter 3:18 exhorts believers to "grow in grace" [8].
The measure of this growth can be seen in the believer's increasing ability to love others. According to 1 John 4:7, "love is of God" [4]. As believers grow in their love for Christ, they also grow in their love for others. This love is not just a feeling but a choice to act in the best interests of others, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- I John “I John 3:23 (LEB) — And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as ⌞he commanded us⌟.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Man — Is of God -- 1Jo 4:7. Commanded by God -- 1Jo 4:21. Commanded by Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 3:23. After the example of Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2. Taught by God -- 1Th 4:9. Faith works by -- Ga 5:6. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22; Col 1:8. Purity of heart leads to -- 1Pe 1:22. Explained -- 1Co 13:4-7. Is an active principle -- 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:10. Is an abiding principle -- 1Co 13:8,13. Is the second great commandment -- Mt 22:37-39. Is the end of the commandment -- 1Ti 1:5. Supernatural gifts are nothing without -- 1Co 13:1,2. The greates”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 15:10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love--the obedient spirit of true discipleship cherishing and attracting the continuance and increase of Christ's love; and this, He adds, was the secret even of His own abiding in His Father's love!”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 15:9: If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love,.... Not that their continuance in the heart's love and affection of Christ depended upon their observation of his commands; for as the keeping of them is not the cause or reason of the saints having an interest in the love of Christ, so it is not the cause or reason of their abiding in it; but to such that observe the commandments of Christ he will continue to make further discoveries of his love, and let them see more clearly and largely what a value he has for them, and how much he loves them: or the sense is, that”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”