Love Must Be Your Life
Christians are expected to live a higher life and demonstrate nobler behavior, guided by the principle of love.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that as believers who have received a new and heavenly life, we are called to demonstrate a higher standard of living that reflects our faith. He challenges Christians to show that their lives are distinct from those of the unregenerate by embodying love and goodness in their daily interactions. Spurgeon asserts that if a professed Christian behaves no better than the ungodly, they are not truly living out their faith. He encourages believers to rise above the negativity and strife of the world, embodying the love of God in all aspects of life. Ultimately, love must be the defining characteristic of a Christian's life.
Text
You believe yourselves to be twice born, you have received a new and heavenly life; what do ye more than others? Ought ye not to show that there is more in you than in others, by letting more come out of you than comes out of others? Much more is expected of us than of the unregenerate, naturally and rightly expectation runs high in reference to men who make such high professions; and if the professed Christian be no better in his daily conversation than the ungodly, depend upon it he is no Christian man at all. We possess a higher life, and we are lifted to a nobler platform than the common sons of men, and therefore we must lead a nobler life and be guided by sublimer principles.
Let the children of darkness meet evil with evil, and carry on their wars and fightings, their strifes and their envyings, their malice and their revenge: but as for you, O believers, ye are the children of the God of love, and love must be your life.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Overcome Evil With Good," delivered October 8, 1876.
Sermon Outline
- The Expectation of Christians
- The Failure of Professed Christians
- The Call to Christian Living
- Guided by sublimer principles
- Love as the defining characteristic
Key Quotes
“We possess a higher life, and we are lifted to a nobler platform than the common sons of men, and therefore we must lead a nobler life and be guided by sublimer principles.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Let the children of darkness meet evil with evil, and carry on their wars and fightings, their strifes and their envyings, their malice and their revenge: but as for you, O believers, ye are the children of the God of love, and love must be your life.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Christians must strive to live a life that reflects their higher calling and nobler platform.
- Professed Christians must demonstrate a commitment to living out their faith in their daily lives.
- Love must be the guiding principle and defining characteristic of Christian living.