Preface to the Study
What can be more important in our lives as believers than loving Jesus? At times, we can become so caught up in knowing about Jesus that we have a tendency to forget that all our knowledge of Jesus is designed to cause us to love Him even more.
This issue is a collection of articles that remind us of the importance of loving Christ with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. The opening article by Thomas Watson reminds us that Christ is more precious than anything this world has to offer us. Articles by Owen and Doolittle provide a number of motives for loving Christ in this way. A. W. Pink reminds us of the wonderful privilege we have of friendship with Christ. In each article, we are reminded of His great love toward us.
We have also included portions of two sermons by Spurgeon from John 21 where Jesus asks Peter that all-essential question: “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?” In these sermons, followers of Christ are asked to consider this question above all others – not how much do we know about Jesus; not how much do we work for Christ – but do we love him? That is the one thing that matters most. And it is the one true motivation behind any service for our Savior. Paul reminds us, “Although I speak with tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or clanging symbol. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have the faith so that I can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I give all my goods to the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
Indeed, “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). And our love ought to spur us to love others. The excerpts from the writings of George Mueller remind us that loving Christ leads to a proper love of others.
It is our hope and prayer that the articles in this issue might cause you to see Jesus as He really is, in all the fullness of His glory, and love Him with all the fullness of your heart! As you read each article, take time to reflect on Jesus and His great love to you. May your love for Him increase and be so evident to all that they too may be drawn to love our lovely Savior!
By His Grace, Jim
