The reason why He is not loved

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(James Smith, "Love to Christ!" 1864)

"Yes, He is altogether lovely!" Song of Songs 5:16

Love is generally drawn forth by beauty exhibited, or by kindness shown. We love the beautiful and the benevolent.

But to the carnal mind, there is no beauty in Jesus--because its taste is vitiated, and its perception is depraved. It calls darkness, light; and light, darkness. It puts bitter for sweet--and sweet for bitter. We do not expect the natural man to see the beauty of the Redeemer's person, or to be inflamed to love by His attractions. Still the beautiful ought to be loved, and "He is altogether lovely!" The reason why He is not loved, is to be found in the corruption of human nature, and the depravity of the sinner's heart.

If you see nothing in Jesus to love--then it is evident that you are under the power of darkness. If you have never really loved Him--then you are dead in trespasses and sins. What a dreadful state! What a fearful thought is this!

Yes, no one will love Him--unless the heart is changed by the Holy Spirit. The mind must be completely changed, before it will love Christ.
He is light--but men love darkness.
He is holy--but men love sin.
He is the image of God--but men love the likeness of Satan.

The Holy Spirit, speaking by the Apostle Paul, says, "If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ--let him be accursed!" 1 Corinthians 16:22. How terrible, "let him be accursed!" Let him be condemned by God, driven from God, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God!

"What! blessed apostle, meek and gentle servant of Christ--doom every one to Hell who does not love the Savior?"
"Yes, without anger, without any improper feeling, I say--If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ--let him be accursed!"

"But think how terrible a place Hell is, how awful God's curse must be, and what tremendous agonies are included in eternal punishment?"
"I have thought of that, and, while full of love to man, and desiring above all things, the salvation of all who hear me, or read what I write--yet I repeat--If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ--let him be accursed!"

"What! that fine young man?"
"Yes, if he does not love Christ."

"What! that amiable young woman?"
"Yes, if she does not love Christ."

"What! that venerable, silver-haired, prudent, and kind-hearted old man?"
"Yes, if he does not love Christ. I make no exceptions. If any person does not love Jesus--then he deserves to be accursed--his doom and destiny is to be accursed!"

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