A Regenerate man has a special love for all true disciples of Christ.
Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a genuine general love—but he has a special love for those who are of one mind with himself. Like his Lord and Savior, he loves the worst of sinners, and could weep over them—but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company. He is never so happy as when he is among the saints and the excellent of the earth. Others may value learning, or cleverness, or agreeableness, or riches, or rank—in the society they choose.
The Regenerate man values grace. Those who have most grace, and are most like Christ, are those he loves most. He feels that they are members of the same family with himself, his brethren, his sisters, children of the same Father. He feels that they are fellow-soldiers fighting under the same captain, warring against the same enemy. He feels that they are his fellow-travelers, journeying along the same road, tried by the same difficulties, and soon about to rest with him in the same eternal home. He understands them, and they understand him. There is a kind of spiritual brotherhood between them. He and they may be very different in many ways—in rank, in station, in wealth. What does it matter? They are Jesus Christ’s people. They are his Father’s sons and daughters. Then he cannot help loving them.
Reader, I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born of God?
~ J.C. Ryle
Regeneration, [Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2003], 36, 37.
> > > From the week long series: “6 Marks of Regeneration” < < <
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“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14.)
[...] Thursday (7/22): A regenerate person has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. [...]
Ah – this special love the Lord has for His elect is a concept the universalists hate and fail to understand. Their perspective is that God is “love”, ergo, Love is “god” – and all who teach that some are loved more than others and some are doomed to hell are to be most pitied.
I knew I was born again, in part, because I had a near instantaneous desire to spend time with people of God and grow in His Word that I didn’t have the week before.
I couldn’t disagree more Manfred.
marsh,
It would be helpful – if your intent is to communicate – if you reveal what you disagree with.
Erik, I can’t thank you enough for this series (and ALL you do). Every day when I consider what the apostle would say about me, I am profoundly encouraged. I know, of course that he would faithfully exhort me regarding my shortcomings and point out the corrections needed in my life, but he would surely acknowledge the marks of redemption upon me: that I am regenerate; I am born of God!
[...] 4th Mark of Regeneration: Love For Other Christians [...]
[...] 4. A regenerate person has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. [...]
[...] a leadership role, she had a busy professional and personal life. I regard her as one of those whom J.C. Ryle describes in the following piece. I’ve changed Ryle’s generic pronouns “he/his” to [...]