I love the imagery in this passage. A tree full of life with its roots right down to the river; contrasted directly with a desert shrub parched with thirst in a salt land. Sometimes I think that it says all that is needed. I know that is an overstatement, but when you boil Christianity right down to its essence you find that trusting in the Lord is really the whole point. These two stark images are each the result of one’s placement of absolute trust. Place your trust in the Lord and live life abundantly, or the other, the constant thirsting with no real hope at all as the consequence for trusting in man. This illustration is a picture of the immense value of trusting in the Lord, and the total futility of trusting in oneself.

On a recent sailing adventure to the San Juan Islands my wife and I received three distinct lessons in trusting the Lord. Each bears some lasting imagery for us as well.

Our boat is thirty years old, and so is its engine. It should come as no surprise then that no matter how much faith I put in the engine it is still susceptible to failure. Strange as it may seem, I was surprised and quite disappointed when the engine failed after carrying us nearly sixty miles in just two days. A part of me thought, “Lord, this is not fair. I wasn’t trusting in the engine, it’s old. I was trusting in you.” In the end, of course, I had to repent of that thought. Certainly the Lord knew how old the engine was; moreover he knew just how badly it needed a new fuel pump. He helped it along for the first sixty or so miles, allowing it to fail only after safely reaching a marina where there was a skilled boat mechanic to help us find and solve the problem. The Lord will provide; even while we vacation.

A couple of nights later we were anchored in a crowded little bay when the wind came up during the middle of the night. We awoke to find that our anchor was not holding, and that the wind was slowly driving us toward other boats. It was like a nightmare for us as we spent the next forty minutes motoring in circles trying to re-set the anchor with wind gusts fighting us at every turn. The next morning as I watched the peaceful sunrise, I remembered an impression from childhood of Jesus being the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul (found in Hebrews 6:19), and I thanked the Lord (my true anchor) that our engine had been repaired before the wind storm.

On the final day of our journey we had to traverse the sixty miles home from Friday Harbor in just one day. We got up early so we could take full advantage of the current only to find that the entire channel was covered in fog. As disheartening as this was we still hoped to get out on time. As the early morning passed we watched the fog slowly start to clear. We prayed for safety before leaving, and as we proceeded we chased the fog all the way to Cattle Pass. The fog hung thickly there and the pass is narrow. It would be dangerous for us to go through. At the entrance there was another boat waiting. We pulled alongside to discuss the situation with them only to find out that they were merely waiting for their radar to boot up. They quickly agreed to let us follow them safely through the pass. Psalm 37:5 plainly states; “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

“Some trust in chariots” (boats?) “and some in horses,” (engines?) “but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7 (ESV)

I’ve read that verse casually before and just thought that it meant that when I was in casual conversation with others, I should be a good listener, not blather on, and not get upset about anything contrary to my thoughts.  The Lord has brought this verse to mind recently in a different light, however, that I might actually use it in my life and relationship with others.

I’ve come to realize that being swift to hear does not apply only to people around me, but also the Lord.  I am not to read over verses too quickly and not pay attention – rather I am to be swift to hear what the Lord is trying to tell me through His word.  And, yes, also with those around me – I am to be swift to hear:  listening with an open heart to brothers and sisters in Christ that may be exhorting me or trying to show me a blind spot in my life.

Being slow to speak, I believe goes beyond waiting your turn to talk – I think the Lord has showed me that I should think… ask for wisdom… silently pray… all this in just a few seconds that it may take… before I blurt out some cruel or senseless string of words that are born out of pride or a baseless sense of superiority just to show that I am right and you are wrong.

The last is the most convicting to me.  Being slow to wrath doesn’t just mean that I should count to ten to avoid hitting someone or kicking the wall out of frustration. Being slow to wrath means that I should always channel my thoughts through the Lord before I react to a situation.  This is not only for ‘big’ situations – it is for everyday stuff all day long.  Suppose you are out for breakfast with your spouse.  You’ve ordered eggs over medium, but the sever brings them scrambled, or maybe your toast is a little too dark – and you say loud enough for the server to hear as he or she retreats that “this place sure has gone down hill”.  And now… in full sight of this chastised server… you bow your head and pray before you eat – what a testimony  to this server… this is how thankful Christian acts.  The Lord has shown me that I can enjoy scrambled eggs just as well and (not being wrathful or even indignant) truly enjoy a time of relaxation with my spouse and have a good testimony for a server that may have had a frazzled morning.

James 1-19 makes life enjoyable.  James 1-19 makes for good and honest relationships with the Lord, your spouse, your children, your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to those in the world.

How many times have you heard this verse along with some “new” type of evangelism? Ones like “coffee” evangelism. There’s always some new fad out with how to reach the unsaved for Christ. With so many new methods coming out everyday, may I just suggest a simple one? How about the Biblical approach?

I’m not saying that these fads are wrong; I just don’t understand why the traditional evangelism is not sufficient. I think we focus on these new methods too much. I’m a Baptist, which essentially means that I go by Biblical examples; and the most predominant example of Biblical evangelism other than Christ is the apostle Paul. So let’s take a look at what Paul’s evangelism looked like, and then apply that to today.

One of the best passages when trying to understand Paul’s methods of evangelism is Acts 17:16-32. Here we find Paul in the city of the philosophers, intellectuals, and critics – the city of Athens. This is where Paul gives possibly his most well known sermon of all time; he gives the sermon of “The Unknown God.”
When Paul saw their idol worship his spirit was provoked or stirred within him. “Provoke” comes from the Greek word παροξύνω, meaning to exasperate. John Gill writes it means, “not only his soul was troubled and his heart was grieved, but he was exasperated and provoked to the last degree: he was in a paroxysm; his heart was hot within him; he had a burning fire in his bones, and was weary with forbearing, and could not stay; his zeal wanted vent, and he gave it:” Paul was so concerned about the state of their “lostness” that he was heartbroken over it; his love moved him to action. This love is essential if we are to apply the rest of this passage.

The Athenians loved anything new (vs. 21). They wanted the latest philosophy so that they could determine if it was valid or not. In vs. 18 the Epicureans and Stoics conversed with Paul, calling him a “babbler” this term comes from the Greek word σπερμολόγος which means that a picker-up of seeds. This term basically means a gatherer of scraps, and in this case referring to knowledge – a compliment. The verse goes on to say that they thought he was a preacher of foreign gods because he preached Christ’s resurrection. They had no concept of this.

After this they led him to where all the prominent philosophers were located – Areopagus. There they ask him a simple question, “Can we know what this new form of doctrine that you preach is?” Isn’t this the usual case? Paul then begins his “sermon” with a compliment; saying that he perceived them to be “very religious” this would be very honoring for an Athenian. This shows how one truly can have a loving debate and discussion about the Gospel.
Consider for a moment some historical background of Athens. There were 35,000 statues of idols in Athens. They had so many gods, but just in case they missed one they had an alter to the “Unknown God.” Also, it was illegal in Athens to introduce a new God. They desired new philosophies but not a new god, they had enough of those.

Paul understood the culture, laws, and customs of Athens. Paul knew it was illegal to introduce a new god to the Athenians, but he knew he could introduce them to a God they had no understanding of – The Unknown God. Talk about an attention step! They must have been so eager and excited to understand something that until this point, no Athenian had ever known.

Paul starts his sermon in the beginning. Telling the Athenians the Unknown God was the God who created everything, saying that he is self-existent and sovereign. This flies in direct contrast to what these Athenians believed. Essentially the Stoics believed in fate, and the Epicureans in chance. A Sovereign God would totally demolish those philosophies.

Paul then talks about how the Athenians have tried so hard to reach out and find God, but he was never that far from them. Trying to reach out to God through religion and philosophy is impossible. This would most likely confuse them, so once again Paul refers to something that they do understand. He refers to some of their own poets’ writings in vs. 28 bringing back the attention of the Athenians.

Paul then says in vs. 29, “Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.” Paul is telling them, hey this isn’t some made up statue; this is a Supreme Being who is personal. Then Paul tells them how this God demands repentance, and how He will judge the world by the Man whom he appointed. This was made known through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.When they heard about the resurrection, the Bible tells us that some mocked and some said that they wanted to hear of this again. Paul then leaves, and some went with him, some got saved!

This text can show us how evangelism can and should be worked. Notice how Paul compliments the Athenians. He answers questions with humility. He makes the great comparison between the Unknown God and Yahweh. Paul refers to things they understand when it appears that they had been lost in his speaking twice. Essentially, the reason why Paul’s evangelism was so effective was that he took the time to understand the Athenian culture, and then contrasted it with the Truth. No fads needed.

Let the worship begin
by John Fischer

I think it’s a great idea. The chaplain here at this Christian university I am visiting wants to put a sign over the archway that students walk under when they exit the chapel after a time of worship, and he wants it to read: “Let the worship begin.”

Yes, you read that right. On their way out of the building they read: “Let the worship begin.” After the worship service. After leaving the house of worship. After being led in worship by someone else, the real worship begins. It begins with me and with you, and it begins in earnest. It begins all by myself, because I am beginning it; and if it stops, it stops because I stopped it. No one else is responsible for this.

Worship is not a service. It’s not a string of songs perfectly placed. It’s not a moving choir number or even a stirring sermon. It’s not a reflective moment separated from the rest of my day. Worship is an attitude. It’s a way of looking at life that sees God behind everything. It’s a way of walking into the world, not away from it.

Worship is always there. It’s always available to everyone, but not everyone sees it. And no one sees it all the time. But it’s there nonetheless. It’s there because God is there-because He created the world and put us in it and He inhabits the whole earth. There is no place you can go that He is not there.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

It is most assuredly true that worship is not a service, it is an act of ones heart that is translated into their actions. All believers should live a life of worship. So…”Let the worship begin.”

Isaiah 6:1-8  In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  (2)  Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  (3)  And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”  (4)  And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.  (5)  And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”  (6)  Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.  (7)  And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”  (8)  And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

In the year that King Uzziah died, his reign as king came to an end.  I am mindful that the following Presidential reigns of Harry S. Truman 1945-1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower 1953-1961, John F. Kennedy 1961-1963, Lyndon B. Johnson 1963-1969, Richard M. Nixon 1969-1974, Gerald R. Ford 1974-1977, Jimmy Carter 1977-1981, Ronald Reagan 1981-1989, George Bush 1989-1993, Bill Clinton 1993-2001, and George W. Bush 2001-2008 came to an end during my lifetime.  Now we have Barack Obama 2009- starting his.

With the change of leadership, come changes in the land.  There are changes from the past president’s (king, if you will) character, philosophies, and agendas to the new president’s (king’s) character, philosophies, and agendas.  This brings about changes in the people.  Where there was once agreement, there is now disagreement or visa versa.  Where there was once joy, now anger or frustration or visa versa. Where there was once something about your life (you fill in the blank), it has changed with the change of the king.

During Isaiah’s life, there were changes brought about with the death of King Uzziah.  However, Isaiah had his focus on the one and only true Ruler, the King of Kings, the Almighty One, the Creator, the All Knowing God, the All Powerful God, the God who exists in all of eternity, the LORD (Jehovah – the self Existent One), the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, the God who never changes, and the Holy God.  Isaiah saw the same God we, as believers, see today – the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we, Christians, have our eyes are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ as the King, then several things will happen: 1. We will trust in Jesus as our King, not the king of the land, 2. We will recognize who we are in the presence of the LORD and say, as Isaiah said, : “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” and we will seek God for forgiveness, and 3. We will answer the call of God to go into the land and declare to the people that the Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and declare to them that Jesus is the one and only Saviour.

]]> http://vvbcs.org/blog/2009/02/what-is-your-response-to-the-king/feed/ 0 http://vvbcs.org/blog/2009/02/secure-in-christ/ http://vvbcs.org/blog/2009/02/secure-in-christ/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:42:36 +0000 mikeholtzinger http://vvbca.org/blog/?p=137 Romans 8:31 – 39 (NKJV) ³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  ³³Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  ³⁴Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  ³⁶As it is written:     “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” ³⁷Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  ³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I was a young believer I found myself from time to time with serious doubts about my salvation.  These doubts came for two reasons.  The first was my religious background.  To have assurance of salvation and know I was secure in Christ was just difficult for me to take ownership of the concept.  The other cause of doubts was my failure to live up to what I knew was honoring to Christ.  Whenever I sinned I felt guilt I must not truly be a Christian.  These doubts had devastating results, even when confessed (1 John 1:9).  These doubts hindered my walk and fellowship with Christ and crippled me in the ministry God had given me.  I experienced the accusing spirit of the powers of darkness, as well as my flesh.  I constantly wondered what the problem was and how could I deal with it.

One day I found myself at a youth camp in the high mountains in Northern California as a youth leader from our church.  On the second night I was up late with the leadership of the camp.  As our conversation moved from the ministry of the moment I found myself alone with the camp director and I open up and shared my heart about my doubts.  In a matter of minutes I came to a place of real peace concerning my salvation.  The answer was simple and life changing.  The director had me turn in my Bible to John 1:12 and read it out loud.  The then he asked two simple and straight forward questions;  “What does the passage say?”  And “do you believe it?”  What he did was point to the authority of the Word of God in place of my transient emotions.  I gain learned two lessons. One, my salvation is dependent on God’s promise, and two, the Scriptures are the arbiter of truth not my experiences or feelings.  Those lessons are clearly profound and are to be the rule all true believers.  Our faith has value because of the object in which it is placed not in our personal sincerity and as a result we must look only to the Word of God for authoritative answers to our walk with Christ.

The security of the believer or more accurately called the perseverance of the saints is a precious truth that not only brings comfort but also a deeper understanding of the merits and riches of Christ in salvation.  This doctrine, rightly understood, will not lead to license, but rather to a life of deep devotion and holiness in Christ.  There are a number of lessons that this precious doctrine illuminates.  Let me take two for you consideration that point to the majesty and glory of the Savior who purchased us.

The Purposes of God

The redemptive story of man is the full testimony of the Scriptures. God purposed to save man from before the foundations of the world into eternity future.  Our salvation was in the mind of God from eternity ( Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4-6).   The passage in Ephesians makes it clear that God chose in eternity past. His purpose in eternity past was to call and bring us into a right relationship with Him.  This is a work of God’s effectual calling. The question then to be asked is what or who can thwart His purposes?   Romans 8:29-30 go further in stating that those God has predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (vs.28-29) are a result of His call not only justified, but will ultimately be glorified (eternity future).  No where in any of these passages regarding the call of God do we see anything other than the eternal purposes of God in justification and glorification.  The question that should confront every thoughtful person is whether an infinite God can realize His eternal purpose, or is He baffled and uncertain in the presence of the object of His own creative power?

The Power of God

If our salvation is totally dependent on Christ, is it possible for us, the devil, or any power to overcome the power of God?  That is exactly what Paul is asking in Romans 8:31;

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) ³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

While Paul answers this question in the following verses, it is also obvious that if God in omnipotent, then His work of saving grace through the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Christ is not in danger.  This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and overcame the consequences of sin (Ephesians 1:19-20; Philippians 3:21).  God’s omnipotence means that nothing and no one is powerful enough to separate us from God (John 10:27-29; Romans  8:34-39). Even the “free will” of the sheep cannot, and will not, bring him to the point of perishing.  It is God who causes us to stand (Rom.14:4).  And it is by His power He is able to keep us from falling (stumbling) and present us faultless before the presence of God (Jude 24; Ephesians 3:30; Hebrews 7:25).

No wonder we hear our Lord state;

John 10:27 – 28 (NKJV) ²⁷My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  ²⁸And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.   Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

I find this passage encouraging and timely.  It is exactly the kind of message we need today.  So often in our culture when we (finally) stop to think about the Lord we are faced with the horrible reality that we have not been spending our time for Him at all, but rather for ourselves.

During the day we rush about for our employers or for our customers at our jobs.  It seems easily enough justified since it is our good performance at our job that pays the bills.  Unless of course you stop to realize that it is God himself who is your provider (see Acts 17:25).

In the evening we fill our time with families, television, and the Internet.  This too can be justified with little effort since we led such a stress filled day.  We simply want to relax and to be entertained.

Even in the dark of night when we should be sleeping; we lie awake for hours worrying about our lives, our goals, our friends, our families, and the list goes on.  There is little to justify here.  More likely this exasperation with our lives is what drives us back to a place where we can see just how badly we need to be with the Lord.   I hate to state it like that, but it is true.  We need to be with Him.   We need to be with Him in prayer, and in His word.  We need to have our minds fixed on the things of God or else our lives will consume us.

I am afraid it is much worse for many of us than simply squandering time on self-centeredness.  Much of our time is spent on a wide variety of unhealthy lifestyle practices.  There is a long list of these “works of the flesh” found in Galatians 5:19-21.  I am of course speaking of sinful behavior.  This is not how the life of a true believer should be lived, but unhappily these are the realities of the modern Christian.  Today’s worldly culture is prevalent in the lives of professing Christians, and the danger is obvious.

We make so many of our decisions (big and small) without thinking of Him, but only of ourselves.  This is certainly not how we intend to live our lives, so we find ourselves at a loss for a way to change.  Thankfully, the Lord knows our weakness and has provided us a way out.  Paul states it this way in our passage, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” We need to keep our head in the game.  We are not of this world, and we have a living Savior who is not powerless to save us.

I am not writing to you as one who has already achieved a faultless lifestyle, but as one who is also in need of rescue from the self-absorbed culture of today.   I urge you to join me in a fresh start.  Begin each day by reading the word of God, and in prayer.  Ask the Lord to fill your day with reminders of Him and of His kingdom.  Read a Psalm when you find yourself burdened during the day, and ask the Lord for strength to respond rightly to trials.  Look for opportunities to reach out to those around you, keeping in mind all that the Lord has done for you.  Above all, do not get caught up in worrying about yourself, because it is no longer all about you.  You died the day you became the Lord’s, and your life is now hidden in Him.  Let us see if we can together discover a working definition of a life hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I love Psalm 119.  It elevates the Word of God to its rightful place in the life of a believer. Let me illustrate that with a few citations.

Psalms 119:9 – 10 (NKJV) ⁹ How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart I have sought You;  Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Psalms 119:13 (NKJV) ¹³ With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.

Psalms 119:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may see     Wondrous things from Your law.

Psalms 119:24 (NKJV) ²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight  And my counselors.

Psalms 119:38 (NKJV) ³⁸ Establish Your word to Your servant,  Who is devoted to fearing You.

Psalms 119:50 (NKJV) ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction,  For Your word has given me life.

Psalms 119:67 (NKJV) ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,  But now I keep Your word.

Psalms 119:89 (NKJV) ⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

Psalms 119:93 (NKJV) ⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.

Psalms 119:103 (NKJV) ¹⁰³ How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalms 119:105 (NKJV) ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet  And a light to my path.

Psalms 119:114 (NKJV) ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield;     I hope in Your word.

Psalms 119:130 (NKJV) ¹³⁰ The entrance of Your words gives light;  It gives understanding to the simple.

Psalms 119:160 (NKJV) ¹⁶⁰ The entirety of Your word is truth,  And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

How can our God be our portion, our life, if we don’t delight in his Word?  It is  the Word of God that gives us a love for the God we worship and serve.  It is His Word that gives us clarity concerning Him and His work of grace in our midst.

The Psalmist claims that God is his portion, his possession, his life. He is not an add-on, or just another segment of his life but the totality of his life. All that he is or hopes to be is found in his love for his God as revealed in the Word of God. He has found his hope and reason for life in God apart from the circumstances of life and God’s Word has become his lamp, his food, his refuge, and his light.

For the believer,  we find the culmination of this in the person of Christ, the Incarnate Word (John 1:1-3). He is the light that lights every man that comes into the world (John 1:9).  All that we need to know about whom God is and how He relates to man is found in the person of Christ.  Phillip found this out when he said; “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8).  Our Lord’s response says it all;  “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’” (John 14:9)?

Those who seem to have tired of Christ have neglected the revelation of Christ in the Word of God.  They have not seen the majesty, the immenseness of the person of Christ simply because the have not allowed the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to bring them into captivity to Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).  His beauty, His grace, His holiness, and His majesty have been missed simply because many have neglected the Word of God.

I suppose the question is not so much that His Word is our portion or possession but rather has Christ, through the Word, possessed us?  That will happen when the Word of God possesses us!

Revelation 2:1 – 4 (NKJV) ¹“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:  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;  ³and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  ⁴Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.   (emphasis added)

For many believers today the loss of their first love is a present reality.  The old saying, “familiarity breads contempt” may not apply but familiarity does often breed “familiarity” meaning mediocrity. It was once there (Eph. 1:15; 3:17-19; 6:23), and your love for Christ drove your life.

You have a hatred for evil, able to discern false teachers, you labor and work in the ministry with patience, and you have maintained your doctrinal orthodoxy and continue to serve Christ. That service had degenerated into mechanical orthodoxy. You’re basically on auto pilot.  Just was has gone wrong?

I suspect for many there is that familiarity that has bred mediocrity.  Our relationship with Christ has dulled and we have resorted to clichés and religious activities that have a historical vestige in a once vibrant relationship with Christ, but in all the right things the things that really define our love for Christ are missing.

The first principle in rekindling that dynamic love for Christ first starts with understanding that this kind of love was initiated and proceeds from God.

1 John 4:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹We love Him because He first loved us.

We need to return to visit the riches of the grace of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; 3:8; cf 3:16) and come to grips with the simple fact that a return to our “first love” flows from our dependence on Christ initiating that love within us.  Our relationship with Christ is one born not by the flesh,  nor the will men, but of God (John 1:13).  Our relationship with Christ has a divine authorship and empowerment.

The second is obedience to the Word of God.

John 14:21 – 24 (NKJV) ²¹He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” ²²Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” ²³Jesus answered and said to him, ”If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  ²⁴He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.  (also John 14:15, 24)

When we think of our relationship with Christ we usually do not relate to “doing”.   We were saved by grace through faith apart from works. Our walk with Christ is not a performance relationship.   How does it all fit in?  Once we are in Christ, having put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) we become new creatures in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We have been given a new heart that desires the things of God.  Paul calls this the “new man” (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). The point here is that the new man craves to do the will of God because that is his nature.  The new man desires the things God, desires and seeks them out. When we allow the cares of the world and of the flesh to take hold of our lives, that which has been born within us is starved and we sense a loss of our “first love.” Christ is crowded out and we lose the joy of our relation with Him.

Let us go back and review the love of God found in Christ Jesus and allow what He has done for us in redemption to once again capture our hearts.  And then let us look to obedience to His Word and ask the Lord to restore to us a passion for the things He is passionate about. We will regain our first love when we regain the things that our Lord is passionate about by placing His interests above ours in obedience.