Heart Affection
Spiritual progress is made by taking the Lord Jesus by faith into the affections of our hearts and occupying an enlarged place in our affections.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual fulfillment in Christ rather than in earthly desires. He highlights that true satisfaction comes from deepening our relationship with Jesus, not from temporary pleasures that never fully satisfy. Stanford encourages believers to focus on the Person of Christ rather than just doctrinal knowledge, as true spiritual progress comes from having a genuine affection for Jesus in our hearts.
Text
"If ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1).
Spiritual hunger and thirst are fulfilled in the Lord Jesus, while at the same time they are enlarged for more of Him. This satisfaction overwhelms all lesser longings. Fleshly yearnings are never fulfilled, and every attempt at such satisfaction soon cloys.
"Do we think of, and rejoice in, our blessings more than in the Person in whom we have them? As to even our doctrinal blessings, there is a wonderful charm about them when they are new to us, and they sustain the soul for a certain time; but when the first joy of them passes away, a settling-down process commences. Every new bit of blessing may seem to put a new bit of life into us, but it gradually loses its luster and power, and we become just ordinary Christians-we make very little progress.
"It is as we take the Lord Jesus by faith into the affections of our hearts that we make spiritual progress. It is as He occupies an enlarged place in our affections that we go on. The head may be filled with general theological information without producing one spark of heart-affection for the Lord Jesus, and the soul remains in a state of spiritual emaciation.
"Many have been misled by thinking that by reading the Bible you become like Christ-transformed; but you will find diligent students of the Word, who may never say anything incorrect in doctrine, yet who never seem to grow in grace and walk in spiritual reality.
"All blessings of this dispensation of grace are wrapped up in a Person, and, by means of the Word of God, we make spiritual progress as our hearts learn to find everything in Him-the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us." -C.A.C.
"He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Psalm 107:9).
Sermon Outline
- The Source of Spiritual Hunger and Thirst
- The Problem of Lesser Longings
- The Importance of Heart Affection
- The Dangers of Head Knowledge
- The head may be filled with general theological information
- Without producing heart-affection for the Lord Jesus
Key Quotes
“It is as we take the Lord Jesus by faith into the affections of our hearts that we make spiritual progress.” — Miles J. Stanford
“He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Make spiritual progress by taking the Lord Jesus by faith into the affections of your heart.
- Do not rely solely on head knowledge, but cultivate heart affection for the Lord Jesus.
- Find everything in the Lord Jesus by means of the Word of God.