Topical Bible: Affections: should be Set Upon the People of God

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In the Christian life, the affections of believers are to be directed towards the people of God, reflecting the love and unity that Christ Himself exemplified. The Scriptures provide numerous exhortations and examples that underscore the importance of setting one's affections on fellow believers, fostering a community that mirrors the love of Christ.

Biblical Exhortations

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the necessity of love and affection among believers. In Colossians 3:12-14 , Paul writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Here, love is described as the binding force that unites believers, indicating that their affections should be directed towards one another in a spirit of forgiveness and compassion.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 , Paul commends the Thessalonian church for their love towards each other, stating, "Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. And indeed, you are showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more." This passage highlights that love among believers is a divine teaching, and it encourages them to continue growing in this love.

Examples from Scripture

The early church, as depicted in the Book of Acts, serves as a powerful example of believers setting their affections on one another. Acts 2:44-47 describes the early Christian community: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. With one accord, they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." This passage illustrates the deep affection and unity among the early Christians, as they supported each other both spiritually and materially.

Theological Implications

Setting one's affections on the people of God is not merely a suggestion but a reflection of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. In 1 John 4:7-8 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage underscores that love for fellow believers is an evidence of one's relationship with God, as it is rooted in the very nature of God Himself.

Furthermore, Jesus' prayer for His disciples in John 17:20-23 reveals His desire for unity among His followers: "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me." The unity and love among believers serve as a testimony to the world of the truth of the Gospel and the love of God.

Practical Application

Believers are called to actively cultivate their affections towards one another through acts of service, encouragement, and prayer. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage encourages believers to be intentional in their relationships, seeking to build each other up in love and good works.

In summary, the affections of believers should be set upon the people of God, as this reflects the love of Christ and the unity of the Spirit. Through Scripture, believers are called to love one another deeply, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

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Psalm 16:3
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
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Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
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2 Corinthians 7:13-16
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yes, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
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1 Thessalonians 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.
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Library

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... the flint at one stroke; nor men's affections kindled at ... rather than the Gospel and
men's souls should suffer ... by; but that your hearts are set upon the welfare ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... 3. They also lose all delightful affections toward God: that ... Is it meet, then, that
you should be members of ... that error of mind which made them set light by God ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... Set your affection on things above' (Colossians 3:2 ... sweat, and give some check to
their unbridled affections. ... Methinks we should sometimes go aside into our ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Psalm XCIX.
... as to place the evil where He ought to set the good; nor to place the good, where
He should have set the evil ... God therefore punished all their affections. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcix.htm

Christ's Pastoral Prayer for his People
... "But I do not love him as I should," I think ... loved another person for the sake of
a third one upon whom all your heart was set? ... In the affections of his heart; ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/christs pastoral prayer for his.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... to be the chief good, thou wilt never set thy heart ... of God, it is impossible your
heart should be in ... be but counters, it will not entice your affections to it. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... The affections cannot be carried to two contrarieties at the ... in the earth that we
should so set our hearts ... lest popery get a footing, lest God should go from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

How the Weaker Part of the Soul is the First to Yield to the ...
... that the children of Israel were weak, the dangerous snares should be set for them ...
of us, by particularly laying insidious snares for those affections of the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvii how the weaker.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of foolish and hurtful desires, of vile and vain affections. ... in turning the things
which should have been ... help to prayer; particularly when we set apart larger ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

How God is Jealous of Us.
... holy distrust of jealousy will be set upon the heart ... separates the soul from all
other affections, and purifies ... for it, that she thought she should have melted ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii how god is.htm