Tag Archives: Love

Cultivate godly affections that correspond to the truth. The catechism mentions three in particular. We are to receive the word “with faith, love, meekness.” If listening to preaching is a vital part of our worship, then our attitude toward the message really matters.
We’re not to be critical judges, assessing the message and comparing its delivery to that of our favorite celebrity preachers. We are not to be self-appointed doctrinal police, constantly scanning for error so that we can pounce with glee on the poor pastor’s mistakes. Let’s avoid imitating the scribes and the Pharisees who constantly tested Jesus, “lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say” (Luke 11:54). We are to hear the Word with godward affections.

The catechism mentions faith first. Hebrews 4:2 reminds us that the generation of Israelites who perished in the wilderness failed to enter the land of Canaan because

“the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.”

Faith is necessary if we are to benefit from the Word. Ask God to help you to truly believe what he has said and to trust in it today and tomorrow and in the years ahead.

Next, the catechism mentions love. Jesus said,

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word” (John 14:23).

Love obeys the Word of God. It takes what faith believes and puts it to work. It keeps Christ’s commandments (see John 14:15). It’s not good enough merely to know the Word. We must learn to love it and to say with the psalmist,

“I find my delight in your commandments, which I love” (Ps. 119:47).

Finally, the catechism mentions meekness. James 1:21 reminds us that we are to

“put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Meekly receiving the Word, James is telling us, is basic to dealing with the deep festering sins of our hearts. Meekness means refusing to presume that we know better than God. It is the one essential ingredient in a teachable spirit.

Expository Preaching (Blessings of the Faith), David Strain