Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Revelation 2:4
Have you ever had your heart broken by someone? Maybe in middle school and the person you had a crush on gave you the cold shoulder, or as an adult, maybe a relationship you hoped would work out didn’t? Have you ever been the one to put an end to a relationship or love interest? No matter which side you have been on, losing the hope of love, infatuation, or the object of your affection is difficult, because we all want to love and be loved, even if we won’t admit it publicly. Maybe that’s why it is the subject of so many books, movies, and topics of discussion in every culture. We were made to love!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Who is your first love? In your life right now, who would you drop anything for to go help if they were in need. For me, it is probably an 8 month old little girl, who fell asleep in my arms a few times today. Oh, I still love my wife and the rest of my family as much as ever, but just thinking about this little sweetie brings me joy, and makes me act a little goofy sometimes. She is not always sweet (though almost) as when playing, she will occasionally try to bite me with four new teeth, and pinch me with her super strong little fingers, but I still love her. Your first love may not even be a person, it may be an activity, or thing that takes front seat in regard to your thoughts, time, money, and passion right now. Is it, or has it ever been Jesus? You would know if it was.
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-26
Since I’ve been married, I find that I seem to have less and less time, energy and passion to love the things and people I once did. Maybe the enthusiasm, or frequency of it, has dissipated, but my willingness to do things, in love for others has probably grown. We show people we love them by what we say to them and do for them. The questions I tend to ask is, how well am I doing this for my family, and for strangers, and for God? There is usually a close correlation between how we love others and true selflessness. If we say we love our family and hate others, our love is probably very conditional or more of a feeling, and may wax and wane a lot. Genuine love forgives and perseveres through adversity.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16
How often do you hear about people falling out of love? What does that mean, when you don’t love someone anymore? Especially in reference to a married couple. If you are married, do you love your spouse as much today as you did the day you were married? You may not have the exact same feelings toward them, but you may love them better, or worse, as you did earlier in your marriage. If you don’t like or love them as you once did, is it possible to return to that state, and be ‘in love’ again? God calls us to this in regard to our commitment to Christ. Are we willing to give up everything else in our lives for Him? If it can happen between people, it can surely happen between a forgiving God, and us. So, if you have forsaken the love you once had for Christ, ask him back to that place. Not just to be a co-pilot, but to be the pilot and Lord of your life!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Yours in Christ,
Clark
