Importance of Affection for Christ in Christian Devotion
Love for Christ stands as a defining mark of Christian identity, rooted in the New Testament's repeated call to supreme devotion. Paul closes Ephesians with a benediction that captures this priority: "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love" [4]. The adjective "incorruptible" signals that this affection must be enduring and untainted, not a passing sentiment but a settled orientation of the soul.
Biblical Foundation and Manifestation
Scripture presents Christ's own love as the pattern and motive for believers' affection. Paul urges the Ephesians to "walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness" [2]. Christ's sacrificial love is shown especially in his offering himself as a sacrifice, and Christian love is motivated by and modeled after this [6]. The apostle's argument in 2 Corinthians 5:14 identifies Christ's love as the compelling force behind devotion [1], while Luke 7:47 suggests that love for Christ should correspond to the measure of mercy received [1].
This love manifests concretely: in seeking Christ [1], in obedience to his commands [1], in ministering to him through service to others [1], and in preferring him above all competing loyalties [1]. Jesus himself taught that love for him must surpass even familial bonds: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" [1]. The affections, according to one topical index, should be supremely set upon God and zealously engaged for him [5], with Christ claiming first place [5].
Affection as Spiritual Grace
Early lexical sources distinguish between natural emotion and spiritual affection. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that "there is a distinction between natural and spiritual or gracious affections" [3], implying that love for Christ is not mere sentiment but a grace wrought by the Spirit. This aligns with the observation that such affections are "enkindled by communion with Christ" [5], as the disciples experienced on the Emmaus road when their hearts burned within them [5].
The New Testament consistently treats love for Christ as evidence of genuine faith. John 8:42 identifies it as a mark of adoption [1], while 1 Peter 1:8 describes saints as those who exhibit this love [1]. In Galatians, Paul insists that "faith in Christ Jesus" finds its authentic expression "by exercising love toward others" [7], suggesting that vertical affection for Christ necessarily flows into horizontal love within the community.
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. -- ”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:2 (DRC) — And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Affection — Feeling or emotion. Mention is made of "vile affections" (Rom. 1:26) and "inordinate affection" (Col. 3:5). Christians are exhorted to set their affections on things above (Col. 3:2). There is a distinction between natural and spiritual or gracious affections (Ezek. 33:32).”
- Ephesians “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen. -- Ephesians 6:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affections, The — Should be supremely set upon God -- De 6:3; Mr 12:30. Should be set Upon the commandments of God. -- Ps 19:8-10; 119:20,97,103,167. Upon the house and worship of God. -- 1Ch 29:3; Ps 26:8; 27:4; 84:1,2. Upon the people of God. -- Ps 16:3; Ro 12:10; 2Co 7:13-15; 1Th 2:8. Upon heavenly things. -- Col 3:1,2. Should be zealously engaged for God -- Ps 69:9; 119:139; Ga 4:18. Christ claims the first place in -- Mt 10:37; Lu 14:26. Enkindled by communion with Christ -- Lu 24:32. Blessedness of making God the object of -- Ps 91:14. Should not grow cold -- P”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:2: 5:2 Christ’s love is shown especially in his offering himself as a sacrifice for us (cp. 5:25; John 15:13; Rom 5:8). Christian love is motivated by and modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love (see Phil 2:5-8). • Paul draws on Old Testament imagery, where the smell of a burning sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God (see Lev 1:9; 2:2; cp. Rom 12:1).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6: 5:6 Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10; 14:17-19; 2 Cor 8:8-13).”