Jesus Loves the World. But He Didn't Die for Them.

Yes, Jesus does, like His Father, love the world of people (Jn 3:16; Mk 10:21; Mt 9:36). But He didn't die for them; He died for the church -- that elect community within the world. He gave Himself up for the church (Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2). It is only the church that is bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20; Heb 2) -- the price being His tortuous death and separation from His Father. Yes, Jesus loves the world of people; but not like He loves His bride -- the church. He loves her redemptively. Therefore, if we are not deeply in love with the church, we are not like Jesus. We should question ourselves in regard to our allegiance to that community for whom Jesus lived and died. What place does the church have in our affections. Are we, like Christ, making sacrifices for her well-being?

"For the Father of glory has put all things under Jesus' feet and has given Him as head over all things to the church. . . " (Ephesians 1:22)