Topical Encyclopedia The affections, as understood within the Christian tradition, refer to the emotional and spiritual inclinations of the heart and mind towards God and His purposes. These affections are profoundly enkindled and deepened through communion with Christ, a central tenet of Christian faith and practice. Communion with Christ is not merely a ritualistic observance but a dynamic, transformative relationship that impacts the believer's entire being.Biblical Foundation The Scriptures provide numerous insights into how communion with Christ enkindles the affections. In John 15:4-5 , Jesus emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him: "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This abiding relationship is the source of spiritual vitality and affection for Christ, as it fosters a deep, personal connection with Him. Transformation of the Heart Communion with Christ transforms the heart, redirecting affections from worldly desires to divine purposes. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 , Paul writes, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, who enkindles love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit within the believer (Galatians 5:22-23). Love for Christ The enkindling of affections is most evident in the believer's love for Christ. In 1 John 4:19 , it is stated, "We love because He first loved us." This love is a response to the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave Himself for humanity. The more a believer communes with Christ, the more this love grows, leading to a life of devotion and obedience. Joy in His Presence Communion with Christ also brings profound joy, as seen in Psalm 16:11 : "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ's presence. Peace and Assurance The affections are further enkindled by the peace and assurance that come from communion with Christ. Philippians 4:7 promises, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This peace is a result of trusting in Christ's sovereignty and goodness, providing a stable foundation for the believer's affections. Desire for Holiness A natural outcome of communion with Christ is a heightened desire for holiness and righteousness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , believers are exhorted, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This desire is fueled by the believer's love for Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Conclusion Communion with Christ is the catalyst for enkindling the affections, drawing believers into a deeper, more intimate relationship with their Savior. Through this communion, believers experience transformation, love, joy, peace, and a desire for holiness, all of which reflect the profound impact of Christ's presence in their lives. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 24:32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ... Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ... On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, "Blessed are ... Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ... From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of ... The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ... The Commandments From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ... Resources Is loving God an emotion, a feeling, or a decision? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is spiritual adultery? | GotQuestions.org Affections: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Affections of Saints, Supremely Set on God Affections of the Wicked, are Unnatural and Perverted Affections of the Wicked, not Sincerely Set on God Affections: Blessedness of Making God the Object of Affections: Carnal Affections Crucified in Saints Affections: Carnal, should be Mortified Affections: Christ Claims the First Place In Affections: Enkindled by Communion With Christ Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate Affections: should be Set Upon Heavenly Things Affections: should be Set Upon the Commandments of God Affections: should be Set Upon the House and Worship of God Affections: should be Set Upon the People of God Affections: should be Supremely Set Upon God Affections: should be Zealously Engaged for God Affections: should not Grow Cold The Affections of Saints, Supremely Set on God The Affections of the Wicked, are Unnatural and Perverted The Affections of the Wicked, not Sincerely Set on God The Affections: Blessedness of Making God the Object of The Affections: Carnal Affections Crucified in Saints The Affections: Carnal Affections should be Mortified The Affections: Christ Claims the First Place In The Affections: Enkindled by Communion With Christ The Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate The Affections: should be Set: Upon Heavenly Things The Affections: should be Set: Upon the Commandments of God The Affections: should be Set: Upon the House and Worship of God The Affections: should be Set: Upon the People of God The Affections: should be Supremely Set Upon God The Affections: should be Zealously Engaged for God The Affections: should not Grow Cold Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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