"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:3-4
There is something to be said for maintaining faithful commitment to Christ over time and through trials. However, Jesus seeks not only faithfulness but love. He created us not simply to tough it out for Him but to live in a love relationship with Him. Therefore, in this letter to the church at Ephesus while Jesus commended them for their faithful commitment at the same time He called them to renew their "first love." He says, "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first" (Revelation 2:5).
It is our highest calling and greatest privilege to love the Lord. Yet in the routine of living the Christian life we can neglect our love relationship with God. The Lord desires Your faithfulness but He prizes above all Your love. Are you walking in "first love" with Jesus? If so, keep on fanning the flames. If not, remember the times when you did experience "first love" with Him and return to the things you did at that time in order to re-stoke your love relationship with Jesus now.
"Oh Lord please light the fire that once burned bright and clear. Replace the lamp of my first love that burns with holy fear." (from "Oh Lord You're Beautiful" by Keith Green)
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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Any Christian man who has problems worshipping a shepherd, gets “schooled” this month by the King. Worship God, submit to Christ, and be led by the Spirit. The God who quakes mountains in the OT is the same God who strikes swiftly in judgment now (Rev 2:31). Did this OT aspect of God ever disappear? The NT was written after Calvary, with Revelation written around AD 60. So the God Who says repent or suffer, never left. He is watching for those who walk in obedience (Rev 2), whose worship is acceptable (John 4:23-24), and who persevere in righteousness (Rev). Practice is over; the clock is ticking; and your family, church, and God are looking to you for a first down. Quit punting.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Pastor Mark, During this grevious time in the life of our Church family this is the time to be reminded of our great love relationship with Jesus. These times can make us ask the question< Why now? But, this morning First Light served to remind us that the ultimate end is to be reunited with the Bridegroom Jesus Christ and our Heavely Father. Love in Christ Francie
ReplyDeleteMy "follow the rules" personality often leaves me feeling that I am not deserving of love, because I can never measure up to my own expectations. Why should I think that God could love one such as me? How reassuring it is when I realize that what He really wants most from me is my love. But the miracle is that His love is so great that He can wrap His loving arms around this imperfect person and make her feel loved.
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