Remember your first love
So much has been written about first love. Romance novels, movies, and poetic literature have depictions of one蘑菇视频 first serious romantic relationships. Or the idea that the one you are to be with the most should be at the top of the amorous feelings and consequently called, 鈥渇irst love.鈥� While mankind across our world recognizes this human-to-human connection, what does God say and how does he feel about first love between us and him?
Rev 2:4-5 explicitly states that God蘑菇视频 children are to have a first love relationship, attitude and commitment to God. Also, Deut 6:5 reminds us of the overarching priority we should have and that is to love God with everything, with your being蘑菇视频 being. And highlights of that recognition are the first four commandments: Deut 5:7-12.
The fear and the love of God have one word in common: priority. Why do you do what you do? Why do you say what you say and how you say it? What makes, influences, and drives you in your actions, desires, and efforts? Why don鈥檛 you do or say some things? What is the underlying motivation, foundation and attitude of your life?
Is it God? And the reason he gives in his word? Is the reason God gives, the No. 1 reason you live by? Can you say, because God鈥︹��? There is an allegiance to morality and righteousness that coincides with God蘑菇视频 morality and righteousness, yet there is no true allegiance, loyalty, or love to God himself.
Consider businesspeople: Do they do the right thing in business because the law will penalize them for infractions, or they lose business by bad reputations, or do they recognize first that God hates dishonest scales (dealings). Prov 11:1, Prov 20:23 and the love of money is a root, a beginning, and if it is the priority, it will lead to all kinds of evil. 1 Tim 6:10. Remember saints, before we are capitalists, we are Christians! Do good for God, not for greed.
The first response, reaction, and correlation to our determinations should be God-based. That is first love toward him, and his outlook also. 鈥淚f you love me, you will keep my commandments, obey me, keep my word,鈥� various translations of John 14:15A.
How about marriage fidelity? Why don鈥檛 people commit adultery? Is it because if they get caught the price would be to lose the house, part ways with money, lose some social status, or is the principal reason centered around 鈥淭hou shalt not commit adultery! Exodus 20:14, or the admonitions in Prov 5:19 and 2:17-18 to be satisfied with your wife and not to be led astray by others? Does God蘑菇视频 word have any factor in crucial judgements?
Why do we go to church? To make people connections? To be seen in a good light? Because that蘑菇视频 where my family goes? Nothing wrong in those considerations by themselves, but is our main thought because God wants us to be in community with other believers and have a pastor for moral and doctrinal accountability? Heb 10:25 encourages us to worship together.
What is the purpose of prayer? To consume answers on our lusts and desires? Or do I seek God蘑菇视频 will in my life? Are my devotions out of habit or guilty obligation, or because I understand intuitively that God蘑菇视频 word is good for the health of my soul? And praying the scripture builds me up spiritually.
My monetary giving should be reflective of a cheerful heart to build up God蘑菇视频 work and kingdom, not to curry favor with church leadership and get my way in decision making. I want the promised rain in due season in 鈥渕y land鈥� so I can gather in an abundance of gratitude and grace. But I have to love him with everything, sold out, no holding back or second-hand emotion. Deut 11:33.
What is our first reason for our being? That is your first love. God wants sincerity and truthfulness towards him. This isn鈥檛 about having problems, doubts, hurts or setbacks. It蘑菇视频 about making a renewal or recommitment to God in whatever area is needed. Is he first in everything? If not, then remember, go back to your first love. Please visit trgardone.com.