1 Corinthians 16:22

²² If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

INTRODUCTION

When Paul ends his letter to the Corinthian church—one of the most troubled churches in the New Testament—he does not end with a soft whisper or a gentle benediction.
He ends with a thunderclap.

“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!”

This is one of the most sobering and yet hope-filled sentences in the Bible.

In one breath, Paul speaks of:

• love
• judgment
• and Christ’s return

He reminds the Corinthians—and us—that the measure of our faith is not simply doctrine, activity, or religious habit, but love for Jesus Christ.

I. THE CENTRAL TEST OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: DO WE LOVE JESUS?

Paul does not say:

• “If anyone does not believe everything perfectly…”
• “If anyone does not know enough theology…”
• “If anyone does not serve enough…”

He says:

“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ…”

A. Christianity Is First a Relationship, Not a Ritual

Loving Christ means:

• treasuring Him
• delighting in Him
• trusting Him
• surrendering to His Lordship

Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17).
Love is the defining mark of a disciple.

B. Love for Christ Flows From His Love for Us

We love Him because:

• He first loved us (1 John 4:19)
• He gave Himself for us
• He redeemed us, rescued us, and adopted us

Christian love is a response to divine grace.

C. Love for Christ Is Demonstrated in Obedience

Jesus said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Obedience is not legalism—it is love expressed through action.

II. THE SEVERITY OF REJECTING CHRIST: “LET HIM BE ACCURSED”

The Greek word here is anathema.

It means:

• condemned
• devoted to destruction
• under divine judgment

Paul is not cursing people out of anger.
He is declaring the spiritual reality of those who reject Christ.

A. There Are Only Two Spiritual Conditions

We either:

• love Christ, and are saved
  or
• reject Christ, and remain under judgment

There is no middle ground.

Jesus Himself said:

“He who is not with Me is against Me.” (Matthew 12:30)

B. Why Is Rejecting Christ So Serious?

Because Jesus is:

• the only Savior (Acts 4:12)
• the only Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
• the only Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6)

To reject Christ is to reject:

• the offer of salvation
• the mercy of God
• the only escape from judgment

C. This Is a Loving Warning

Paul’s words are not cruelty; they are compassion.

It is love to warn someone of danger.
It is cruelty to stay silent while a person perishes.

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word that has searched our hearts today.
We thank You for the reminder that the greatest calling on our lives is to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Lord, we confess that our love is often weak, distracted, and divided.
Forgive us for the times we have allowed the world, sin, and our own desires to pull our hearts away from You.
Renew within us a deep and sincere love for Jesus—
a love that obeys, a love that worships, a love that longs for His presence.

Father, keep us from anything that would cool our affection for Christ.
Make us a people who treasure Him above all.
Help us to walk in holiness, in humility, in faith, and in obedience.

And Lord, we join the prayer of the early church and the cry of the apostle Paul:
“Maranatha—O Lord, come!”

Come into our lives with Your power.
Come into our families with Your peace.
Come into our church with Your Spirit.
And one day, come again in glory to reign forever.

Until that day, strengthen us to be faithful.
Fill us with love for Christ, hope in His return, and grace to serve You with joy.

We ask all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.