22d • Devotionals
Affection of Christ
Scripture
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5
Reflection
The affection of Christ is not something we can stir up by human effort. Left to ourselves, our hearts are cold, stubborn, and turned inward. But regeneration — the Spirit’s work of quickening — changes everything. What was dead now lives. What was hostile toward God is reshaped into longing for Him.
The Spirit’s power is not just to inform our minds, but to ignite our affections. This is why Paul could write to the Philippians, “I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8). That yearning is the overflow of a heart that has been transformed by grace.
Affection for Christ is the proof of new life. It shows that the Spirit has kindled love where there was once indifference. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promised, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” This promise is fulfilled every time the Spirit awakens someone to treasure Christ.
The true mark of regeneration is not just new thinking, but new loving. It is the difference between knowing facts about Jesus and actually tasting His goodness. Like Jonathan Edwards said, it is a new sense of the heart.
Application
- Ask yourself: Has the Spirit kindled in me a genuine affection for Christ, or am I merely knowing about Him without delighting in Him?
- When you feel spiritually dry, return to Romans 5:5 — the Spirit Himself pours love into your heart.
- Recognize that every act of true affection toward Christ is evidence of His Spirit at work in you.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for quickening my dead heart. Thank You for giving me new affections that delight in Christ and long for His presence. Kindle afresh the flame of love within me today. Let my heart burn with the affection of Christ, that I may love Him and love others with the same divine love poured into me. Amen.
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Affection of Christ
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