Remember
Last week we talked about moving forward in our life with Jesus, and how that involves saying goodbye to our past life and behaviors. That is true, but sometimes moving closer in our relationship with the Lord requires us to remember. God wants to be first in our lives. We are to have no others and no thing before Him. God wants to be our first love. At a Bible study last night, we looked at Revelation 2:1-5. Jesus says that he has one thing against the church at Ephesus, "you have left your first love".
Christianity today has largely left its first love. Many people who call themselves Christians are realizing that we, too, along the way, have left our first love. And realizing that, we want it back. What does Jesus say in verse 5 of Revelation 2 is the remedy for leaving your first love? He says to remember from where you have fallen, repent, and do the deeds you did at first.
Remember. Do you remember? Do you remember when His mercy and love overwhelmed you? Do you remember at the beginning, when you first accepted HIm into your heart and life, when you were filled with such a love for Jesus that you could hardly stand it? Did you feel like you were going to burst or float away? Do you remember waking up after a PEACEFUL night of sleep to realize that there was Someone who knew you COMPLETELY (warts and all) and LOVED YOU still? Do you remember loving Jesus so much you barely had time for anything or anyone else? Do you remember melting into His loving embrace?
In all this remembering between then and now, is there a difference? Emotionally, we may have grown into a deeper and fuller love, but is the fire still bright? Is the passion for Jesus and your love for Him as it once was? If not, we are to repent (turn around) and do the deeds we did at the beginning. If we compare it to a human love affair, it is doing the things we did while dating and first married.
I remember the deeds I did at the first. No offense to any denomination, but I wonder how many would throw me out for those deeds today. I remember talking to people boldly about my Love. I remember coming into the college library to meet a friend just after leading someone to the Lord. He said, "You are glowing...you look just like an angel." ( Never mind that I had on a white long sleeved blouse and white flowing slacks). I want to glow with the presence and love of Jesus in me! Do you remember the delicate dance at the beginning when, looking lovingly and longingly into His eyes, you followed His every lead, as He weaved you gracefully in and out in the dance of love and life? Remembering, we can return. It is not too late. The music is still playing, and the Creator of the universe and Savior of your life and soul is holding out His hand for you. Do you remember when He first did? Fan the flame and take His hand anew. He wants you closer to Him in the dance of Life. Do you want closer to HIm?
" Oh, the passion. Oh, the wonder, of the fiery love of Christ." Oh, to have that fiery love FOR Christ.
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