Think About It

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.
John 13:34-35 The Message

Do you remember when you first turned your life over to Jesus and asked Him into your life? Do you remember how it felt? When was the last time you stopped and thought about that? Do you remember how you loved everyone and wanted them to have what you had found? Do you remember the compassion you felt for those who did not know Him? Do you remember how fervently you prayed? How you couldn't get enough of His Word? When you weren't reading your Bible, you were probably reading books written about the Bible or telling someone about it. Do you remember?

What's changed?

We fool ourselves into thinking that once a Christian becomes a little mature; it's only natural and right that they should calm down. Maybe it's the style of it - more wisdom instead of just zeal - but let's not confuse complacency for maturity and wisdom.

When did we stop telling people about Jesus?
When we got rejected a few times? Jesus was rejected.
When someone made fun of us? Jesus was mocked.
When we got hurt? Isaiah 53:3 reads Jesus was a man of sorrows.
When someone left us? Jesus was abandoned by all.
When someone we loved died?

Somehow, we think these things justify our actions. In the same way I loved you...

What does the Lord have to say about all that? Revelation 2:2-3, the Lord writing to the church at Ephesus - remember, we're in the book of Revelation here, “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting." Hmmm, sounds like good Christians, doesn't it? He goes on in verse 4. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!" And then the kicker - verse 5 - "Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."

So, I'll ask again. Do you remember when you first turned your life over to Jesus and asked Him into your life? Do you remember how it felt? When was the last time you stopped and thought about that? Do you remember how you loved everyone and wanted them to have what you had found? Do you remember the compassion you felt for those who did not know Him? Do you remember how fervently you prayed? How you couldn't get enough of His Word? When you weren't reading your Bible, you were telling someone about it or probably reading books written about the Bible.

Do you remember?

Prayer:

Father,
            Take us back to our first love. Forgive us for leaving it in the first place. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen