THE LOSS OF FIRST LOVE
Revelation 2 v 4 and 5: "I know your conduct, the pain you take and your perseverance. I know you can't stand the bad guys: you've put to the test those who claim to be apostles and who are naretos, and you've noticed that they're lying. You have perseverance, you have suffered because of me and you have not got enough. However, I have one complaint to make you: you have given up the love you had at the beginning. Will! Remember where you fell from! Change and go back to your first line! If not, I will come to you, and I will take your candlestick out of its place if you don't change."
At the beginning of spiritual
life, we are "in love" with the Lord, but over time, we may attract
ourselves, what a pity!
The loss of first love affects relationships:
With God, with the church, with the family.
Why do we lose our first love?
This may be the consequence of:
Disobedience - No longer reading the Bible - Do not pray - Do not testify - Do
not have church life... But no longer feeling our immense need for God is the
fundamental cause of the loss of our first love. We converted because we needed
God. Revelation 3 v 17.
Evidence of the loss of our first love:
1) I experience more pleasure
with another than with God (Mark 12 v 30).
2) I have lost the thirst of
God (prayer, Bible) (Psalms 42 v 1 and 2).
3) In my spare time, my
thoughts are not directed towards God (Col 3 v 1 - 2).
4) I do not joyfully contribute
to God's work or to the needs of others (1 John 3 v 17).
5) I excuse my weakness (James
4 v 8 to 10).
6) I no longer show love for
others (1 John 4 v 20 to 25)
7) I no longer take the
commandments of Christ as the expression of his love but as restrictions (John
14 v 21).
8) I seek the approval of men
(Galates 1 v 10).
9) For fear of men, I do not
testify (Matthew 10 v 32 and 33).
10) I refuse the reprimand
(Proverb 15 v 32).
11) I refuse to give up an
activity that offends a weaker brother (Romans 14 v 15).
12) I tolerate my sins, and the
sins that surround me (Matthew 24 v 12).
13) I cannot forgive the one
who offended me (Matthew 18 v 21 - 22).
14) I am afraid of losing my
material possessions (Proverbs 30 v 8 and 9).
15) I attend less meetings with
my brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10 v 25).
God asks us for obedience and
holiness. "Therefore, ensign the kidneys of your understanding, be sober,
and have complete hope in the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus
Christ appears.
Like obedient children, do not
conform to the lusts you once had, when you were in ignorance. But since the
one who called you is holy, you too are holy in all your conduct, as it is
written: You will be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1 v 14 to 16).
The words of Satan
- Obey by his own forces (legalism) - Reject the commandments on the pretext
that one is under grace (liberalism).
It is a supernatural
realization that comes from the Spirit of God: Asking every day for Grace
(desire and strength) to put into practice his Word.
"I say, then, "Walk
according to the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the
flesh." Galatians 5 v 16
Defeats make us more aware of
our indignity and our need for God.
"Without me, you can't do
anything" John 15 v 5.
Personal matters
Ø Have you lost your first love for the Lord?
Ø If so, do you know the cause of this loss?
Ø How do I find him?
Ø How can I stay in love with the Lord ?
Contacts : pierredanis@orange.fr
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