A firm attachment to the person of Christ will create a constant concern to promote His cause. With some it has produced a burning zeal that enabled them to endure banishment, to brave dangers and to forsake comforts in order to evangelize an ungrateful people, among whom they were willing to suffer persecution or even death so that they might enlarge the borders of Immanuel’s land. 

It has inspired the hardworking evangelist with inexhaustible strength to proclaim the Word of his Lord from place to place, amid the slander of foes and the coldness of friends. 

There is little or no love for Jesus in a person who is indifferent about the progress of the truth. The one whose soul is saturated with grateful affection to his crucified Lord will weep when the enemy seems to get an advantage; he will water his couch with tears when he sees a declining church; he will lift up his voice like a trumpet to arouse the slumbering. And if his efforts are successful, with what joyous gratitude will he lift up his heart unto the King of Israel, extolling Him for mercies given to the church. How diligently and indefatigably will he labor for his Lord, humbly believing that he cannot do too much—or even enough—for One who gave His heart’s blood as the price of our peace.

Love for Christ smooths the path of duty and wings the feet to travel it. It is the bow that propels the arrow of obedience; it is the mainspring moving the wheels of duty; it is the strong arm tugging the oar of diligence. Love is the marrow of the bones of fidelity, the blood in the veins of piety, the sinew of spiritual strength. 

Love is instinct with activity; it cannot be idle. It is full of energy; it cannot content itself with little things. It is the wellspring of heroism, and great deeds gush from its fountain. Love has a clear eye, but it can see only one thing—it is blind to every interest but that of its Lord. It sees things in the light of His glory and weighs actions in the scales of His honor. It delights in servitude as much as in honor, if it can thereby advance the Master’s Kingdom. 

And, under the influence of love, we are prepared by the Spirit’s sacred aid to do or suffer all that is likely to promote His honor.

May the Father of lights give His church more love for her Head! Then will she be zealous, valiant and persevering—and then shall her Lord be glorified.  

Adapted from The Saint and His Saviour, by Charles Spurgeon. Work is in the Public Domain.

Charles Spurgeon, often called “The Prince of Preachers,” served as pastor of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle for 31 years. Besides preaching nearly 3,600 sermons, he wrote dozens of books, including 49 volumes of Biblical commentaries.

Photo: Adobe Stock