Love For Christ
Jack Shanks

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ...” I Cor. 16:22

I say it with sorrow in my voice, but there are multitudes that have religious feelings and do not love Christ. Salvation is in a Person, who He is, and what He did and why He did what He did. When will you know you are saved? When you love Christ. Who cares about the past or future? It is the present that is crucial-my position in Christ.

Why do we boast of our persons, our positions, our possessions, our gifts, our talents and call attention to these things, when we could be talking about the Christ of God? Paul said, “I am determined to know nothing among you but a hated, despised, redeemer who died on a cross. Christ is my message. If He ever ceases to be my message, I’ve quit preaching.” He said that he determined. Why was he so determined? Because he loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve never found anything to talk about that would even approach HIM. I can’t find anything more delightful than the love of Christ, and I can’t find anyplace where that love is expressed more fully than at Calvary. His suffering, dying sacrifice is the utmost in thought. Preaching Christ is not our duty but our JOY. Natural men and women get excited and zealous about the doctrines of sovereign grace. But after awhile the luster and beauty of grace grows dim in their eyes, and the glory of substitution is lost. They must seek something new and more profound, something mysterious. Love to Christ never needs more.

What shall be our theme? The doctrine of election? NO, the Christ of election! Whose banner shall we march under? Christ is my banner. Christ is my righteousness. Christ is my Shepherd. Christ is my peace. Christ is my provider. Christ is my shield and buckler. I have found Him whom my soul LOVETH. If I could finish my ministry and depart this world and leave something, it would be CHRIST, CHRIST, CHRIST. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?