We
want to love Jesus more and better. So does Ryken. He wants that for
the campus he leads so he preached on it during the 2012-2012
academic year. This book is the edited result.
“[T]here
is hardly anything we need more in the Christian life than more love
for Jesus.” But how does it happen? Where does it come from? Ryken
reminds us that the love we have for Jesus is the work of the Holy
Spirit in us. We need to do everything we can to keep that channel
open.
We
are to love God with our whole being. Ryken starts with the mind.
Realizing the full extent of our sin is essential as he who is
forgiven much loves much. There is an emotional element to our love
for Jesus. He also addresses how hard it is loving whom we have not
seen.
Ryken
explores practical ways to love Jesus, such as keeping his
commandments and loving the church. We love Jesus by loving His
people. “There are thousands of ways to love Jesus more,” he
writes.
His
thoughts on why we don't love Jesus more are insightful and thought
provoking. He writes of life-dominating affections and “darling”
sins. He reminds us of the story about the uninvited woman at the
Pharisee's house. She no longer cared what other people thought. “She
was so in love with Jesus she forgot herself completely."
This
is a very convicting book. We are the reason we do not love Jesus
more. If you are ready to be honest about your affections, this is
the book for you. But be ready to have your heart exposed.
Phil
Ryken is the eighth president of Wheaton College. Prior to that he
was senior minister at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He
has written or edited over 30 books. He and his wife live in Wheaton
and have five children.
Crossway,
176 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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