First Love
Revelation 2:2-5 NKJV
[2] “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; [3] and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. [4] Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
There are many things that are happening in our world, country and homes today.
Both scary and upsetting.
It’s easy to see the evil that is happening.
It is all taking place right before our very eyes with no more restraint.
It is easy to start to feel rage being built in our hearts as people suffer at the pride of man. The devastation that a crooked, hardened heart can accomplish for power and recognition.
There must be justice. There has to be some retribution for the evils that have taken place.
We get so fired up!
So we make a stand for what’s right.
We no longer tolerate what the world offers.
The labor starts and the patience ends. It’s time for action!
Rallies, parades, signs.
All in the name of Christ.
How will these sinful heathens know if we are not there to correct them.We carry on until social justice prevails!
We will not grow weary in our efforts!
All in the name of Christ we will expose the darkness in every corner and shed the Light!
So we put on the battle gear. We make our signs. We gather and go forth in the name of Jesus!
But as we leave to go and make things right we must take with us what we need for this upcoming battle, we can’t leave empty handed! We take the Bible in one hand and in the other we carry our self-righteousness.
We end up looking like the world. We act like the world. Then the world ses us just like it, no different.
What makes us any different with these types of actions?
There is always going to be opposition.
There will be wars and battles and even rumors of war.
In the heat of the moment what happens is emotions can trigger something in us that we never knew was there.
We act upon these emotions and most times cause more harm than good.
When this happens we become a misrepresentation of who Christ is.
This is one of my biggest fears. I need to know in my soul, my heart and my mind that what comes out of my mouth has been filtered by the Holy Spirit and His Holy Word!
The Apostle Peter was known for making rash decisions and acting out of emotions.
Cutting the soldier’s ear off at the attempt to arrest Jesus.
John 18:10 NKJV
[10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Unknowingly Peter was an obstruction rather than a conduit for the Lord’s plan.
John 18:11 NKJV
[11] So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
Are we part of the plan of the Kingdom of God or part of the problem?
This is a hard question to answer.
But it is one that we must consider.
What are the motives?
What are the possible outcomes?
Have you counted the cost?
Luke 14:28 NKJV
[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
Is there enough of the Word of God in you to finish. Are you being directed by the Holy Spirit or your own accord?
Self-righteousness is entangled with pride.
The two together are sometimes more than we can overcome on our own.
Pride cuts off our needed priority to the Lord and His plan and His will and we end up looking to fulfilling our own.
Do we seek counsel from the Holy Spirit or counsel from our own heart?
I understand that there are issues that need to be dealt with quickly.
There may not be time to reflect.
But the quickness of a decision will be reflected on what or Who your first love is and how much time is spent under His guidance.
We have been called to have a sound mind, a renewed mind. Even a mind that is fixed on Jesus.
Are you there yet?
We all fall and stumble around. We allow the issues of this world to wind us up.
The Lord gives us precious Words to remind us.
“repent and do the first works’
What are these first works?
The Salvation that Jesus offers out of His love.
His Restoration because of your brokenness.
The Regeneration because of the grip of the world and all that is in it and all that is happening in it no longer has a grip on you!
Your first love, Jesus Christ the Redeemer!
Have you accepted these first works?
Are you continuing in them?
Have they shaped and molded you heart and mind?
You see, we have to make ourselves accountable to the Gospel.
How will they know we are Christians?
By our love and how we show that love.
We battle not in our strength but His through the power of prayers and submission.
II Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, [6] and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
This is a battle hymn for the believers and followers of Jesus Christ!
But we neglect bringing every thought into captivity.
We overlook punishing disobedience when OUR obedience to Him is fulfilled.
I encourage you today to bring your thoughts into captivity.
Completely bring yourself under obedience.
Remember your first love!
Do the work You have been called to do but do it in the ways we have been instructed to do them!
Battle day and night without ceasing, in prayer. Don’t grow weary, have patience and continue to labor. But remember your first love, first and foremost!
The world is getting darker.
The violence is growing.
The darkness of hearts is dimming more each day.
As you go out, remember to represent Jesus well. Remember your first love and what that love has saved you from so that others will be willing to have a new first love too!
Pastor Ed
