“You whom my soul loves.” —Song of Solomon 1:7 (NKJV)

WHY DO WE LOVE HIM?

It is a great blessing to be able to say of the Lord Jesus, without hesitation or uncertainty: “You whom my soul loves.”

Many believers only dare to say, “I hope I love Him,” or “I think I love Him.” But that is only shallow ground on which no Christian should be content to rest. None of us should give ourselves peace until we are sure of a matter as vital as this. We should not be satisfied with simply hoping that Christ loves us, or vaguely trusting that we love Him in return.

The saints of old did not speak this way—with “ifs” and “maybes” and “I hope so.” No, they spoke with clarity and confidence. Paul declared, “I know whom I have believed.” Job testified, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” In the same way, we should seek assurance that our love for Christ is real. We can know it by receiving the witness of the Holy Spirit and His seal upon our hearts by faith.

True love for Jesus is always the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul. He is the one who creates it in us. But what is the reason why we love Christ? The answer lies in Christ Himself.

Why do we love Him? Because He first loved us.

Why do we love Him? Because He gave Himself for us.

Through His death, we have life. Through His blood, we have peace. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.

We also love Him because of the perfection of His person. His beauty, His excellence, His goodness, His glory—all these overwhelm the soul until it cries out with delight: “Yes, He is altogether lovely!”

This is a blessed love indeed—a love that binds the heart with cords softer than silk, yet stronger than iron.