Regaining Your First Love
Many Christians “fizzle out” of their experience and fall into a dormant state known as the “Laodicean condition.” Satan is very happy when we are really busy - even with church activities - and have no time for the personal study and spiritual growth that would lead to a personal experience with our Friend and Saviour Jesus Christ. In reality, a “standstill” position actually means that we are retreating, since the Christian life must be continuously on the move; there must be continual progress in order for us to reach eternal life.
Before we can be strong in the Lord and heat up our Christian experience, we must recognize our condition. Even though we may not feel weak, we should never feel too sure of ourselves. The apostle Paul said “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Paul was speaking about the danger of being proud and self - sufficient. Unless the character is changed into the divine similitude, we will have no entrance into the kingdom of God. Do you recognize your true spiritual condition? Are you seriously striving for entrance into the heavenly kingdom - or are you satisfied with the pleasures of the earthly kingdom?
Are you like the young rich man who was too selfish to share his possessions with the poor, thus forfeiting the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 19:22.)
Are you like Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, who “went out to see the daughters of the land” (Genesis 34:1) and lost her Christian experience as a result?
Are you too “pure” like the priest and the Levite, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, to care for the dying needs of their “unclean” neighbor?1
Are you like Samson who disregarded his parents’ counsel and married outside of his faith and lost his Christian experience?
Are you like the mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee, who was so ambitious for her sons’ highest place in the kingdom, that the only kingdom she cared about was the earthly kingdom?
Are you a “Peter” who was so self - sufficient that he declared confidently to the Lord that he was ready to go “both into prison, and to death” (Luke 22:33)? “His self - confidence proved his ruin.” 2
Are you a “Nicodemus” who was “too proud openly to acknowledge himself in sympathy with the Galilean Teacher?” 3
Are you a ceremonial Christian like the scribes and Pharisees, thinking that your self - righteousness will give you an entrance into the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 5:20.)
Let us look at the main reasons why Christians become spiritually weak:
Life is so extremely busy nowadays. There is so much to be done and so little time in which to do it. Yet there is an old saying, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” And what is the result? We run around so much - busy, busy, busy. At least we are not lazy, right? But working hard is not an end in itself. Even if we are doing good things for God, it is still possible to become so busy in the work of the Lord that we forget about the Lord of the work. The bottom line is this: Do not neglect to watch and pray. There is an enemy on our track, and if we are not watching, he can readily ensnare us with his subtle temptations. If we are not praying for strength and wisdom from heaven, the earthly elements of life can easily drag us downward.
Jesus bids us: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
“Neglect of prayer causes the Christian to become weak, to lose self - control, to give rein to impure thoughts and impulses.” 4
“The fear of the Lord is fading from the minds of our youth because of their neglect of Bible study.” 5
Human nature tends to justify itself by sticking to old habits and familiar paths. But God wants to sanctify us; He is calling us to higher ground than we have ever experienced before. As we appreciate and cherish the light of His word, He will inspire us to new heights and to enjoy purer, holier lives through His strength.
“Our natural tendencies, unless corrected by the Holy Spirit of God, have in them the seeds of moral death. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we cannot resist the unhallowed effects of self - indulgence, self - love, and temptation to sin.” 6
“Many are spiritually weak because they look at themselves instead of at Christ.” 7
Believers “become weak and inefficient by making flesh their arm. Trust in the wisdom of man does not facilitate growth in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.” 8
Our spiritual fortitude comes from Heaven. Mere humanity - whether our own or that of other mortals - is powerless to give us victory in Christ.
“He who once yields to temptation becomes spiritually weak and yields more readily the second time.” 9
Every time we yield to the ploys of the enemy, we are weakened. But on the other hand, every time we courageously resist temptation, we gain more strength.
This planet is corrupt because its inhabitants have been duped by one who has long been proud of his beauty, intelligence, talent, and executive ability. Knowing this history, how can we be so foolish as to continue the cycle? Let us wake up and realize that we were born in enemy - occupied territory. Self - exaltation is in the air we breathe. We need to make a concerted effort to escape its foul miasma and imitate instead the life, example, and attitude of Jesus Christ.
“By self - exaltation we become weak and invite the temptations of the enemy. Our safety is to practice heartily the truths of the Bible. By humbling ourselves before God we invite His saving power.” 10
The enemy delights in getting us to underestimate the importance of duty. He paints a smooth, easy picture. Yet, “if you do not obtain spiritual strength by the faithful performance of every Christian duty, thus coming into a closer and more sacred relation to your Redeemer, you will become weak in moral power.” 11
The wonderful light of the gospel message has not been entrusted to us in order that we might become puffed up with a “holier - than - thou” attitude. In fact, it is not exclusively for us at all. It is designed for sharing with every person on the earth. Are we so thick with self that we are blocking the view? Are we failing to energetically take this glorious message to the world?
“Many are spiritually weak because they have not let the light which God has given them shine forth to the world. They have not connected with Christ and become channels of blessing.” 12
The apostle Paul said: “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10). To be spiritually strong, we must have an experience opposite to that which makes us weak. Here are some active steps we should take:
Now is the time for the latter rain to be poured out in fullness - without measure. Why not beseech the Lord earnestly for this promised blessing. What are we waiting for?
“Christ has made every provision for us to be strong. He has given us His Holy Spirit, whose office is to bring to our remembrance all the promises that Christ has made.” 13
“The Holy Spirit imparts love, joy, peace, strength, and consolation; it is as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. The blessing is free to all.” 14 “The Holy Spirit is present to give strength for victory.” 15
Secret prayer ignites the individual with peace and inner strength.
“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18).
“The patriarchs were men of prayer, and God did great things for them. . . .
“Joseph prayed, and he was preserved from sin amid influences that were calculated to lead him away from God. . . .
“Moses, who was much in prayer, was known as the meekest man on the face of the earth. . . . [He] went to the true Source of power. . . .
“Daniel was a man of prayer, and God gave him wisdom and firmness to resist every influence that conspired to draw him into the snare of intemperance. Even in his youth he was a moral giant in the strength of the Mighty One.” 16
Besides personal prayer, family prayer fortifies the home, and prayer among the congregation invigorates the entire body of Christ.
Here we are assembled at the annual Week of Prayer. Can we not make this a Week of Prayer unlike any other we have ever held? This time, why not let this be a real “upper room” experience where differences are put away and hearts are united as never before?
“Seasons of prayer should be held for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“Could there be a convocation of all the churches on earth, the object of their united cry should be for the Holy Spirit. When we have that, Christ our sufficiency is ever present, we shall have every want supplied. We shall have the mind of Christ.
“God will not do for man that which He requires man shall do for himself through his own earnest willing cooperation. . . .
“Time and time again the Lord has longed to communicate His Spirit in rich measure, but there was no place for Him to rest. He was not recognized or valued. The blindness of mind, the hardness of hearts interpreted Him as something of which they should be afraid. Some hidden evil lurks in the heart to hinder the manifestation of the power of God, and His Spirit cannot descend. . . .
“When God’s people will believe, when they will turn their attention to that which is true, and living, and real, the Holy Spirit, in strong heavenly currents, will be poured upon the church.” 17
There is a pitiful syndrome that exists in this world known as anorexia nervosa. The victim of this sad condition chooses to partake of so little food that he (or, more often, she) eventually becomes emaciated with hunger and suffers from many health issues due to lack of adequate nutrition. The greatest tragedy is that the problem is self - inflicted; it could easily be avoided. Too often it occurs because the victim is obsessed with portraying a slender outward image at the expense of intelligent reason.
Scripture prophesies a famine. Are we deliberately starving ourselves into spiritual leanness by minimizing our time with the bread of life - God’s written word? If so, why? Where have our priorities gone? Are we so preoccupied with an exaggerated concept of outward needs that we are neglecting the essential inward adorning of the Spirit of Christ and how it grows?
“Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
“The food we eat at one meal does not satisfy us forever. We must daily partake of food. So we must daily eat the Word of God that the life of the soul may be renewed. In those who feed constantly upon the Word, Christ is formed, the hope of glory. A neglect to read and study the Bible brings spiritual starvation.” 18
“So long as we surrender the will to God and trust in His strength and wisdom, we shall be guided in safe paths to fulfill our appointed part in His great plan. But the one who depends upon his own wisdom and power is separating himself from God.” 19
“Your strength is wholly in God - in your simple, entire trust in God.” 20
“If we make God our strength, we shall have clear perceptions of duty and unselfish aspirations; our life will be actuated by a noble purpose, which will raise us above sordid motives.” 21
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
“As, seeing the sinfulness of sin, we fall helpless before the cross, asking forgiveness and strength, our prayer is heard and answered. Those who present their petitions to God in Christ’s name will never be turned away.” 22
“There is no limit to the help that the Saviour is willing to bestow on us. He asks us to bring into our lives the grace that will keep us from sin. From the cross of Calvary there comes to us liberty, hope, and strength.” 23
“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7).
“Look not anxiously into the morrow. Today employ your time to the very best account. Today let your light shine for Christ, even in the performance of little duties. . . . The faithful performance of today’s duties will prepare you to take hold of tomorrow’s work with fresh courage, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped me’ (1 Samuel 7:12)! Ever stand as minutemen before God.” 24
It is not enough to do missionary work when and where it is convenient. We must be willing to spend and be spent. We must be willing to sacrifice our time, means, and even family relations in order to be effective soul winners. See what Inspiration tells us: “Many of the members of our large churches are doing comparatively nothing. They might accomplish a good work if, instead of crowding together, they would scatter into places that have not yet been entered by the truth. Trees that are planted too thickly do not flourish. They are transplanted by the gardener, that they may have room to grow and not become dwarfed and sickly. The same rule would work well for our large churches. Many of the members are dying spiritually for want of this very work. They are becoming sickly and inefficient. Transplanted, they would have room to grow strong and vigorous.” 25
The Lord declares: “I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God” (Zechariah 13:9).
“By trial the Lord proves the strength of His children. Is the heat strong to bear? Is the conscience void of offense? Does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit that we are the children of God? This the Lord ascertains by trying us. In the furnace of affliction He purifies us from all dross. He sends us trials, not to cause needless pain, but to lead us to look to Him, to strengthen our endurance, to teach us that if we do not rebel, but put our trust in Him, we shall see of His salvation.” 26
The apostle Paul said: “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The Lord sends us trials that our faith may be exercised. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:35-37).
“Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed.” 27
“We shall have trials of faith, but they will only tend to increase our spiritual sinew and muscle; for we shall have to exercise faith, and put forth our trembling hand to lay hold upon a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ But in this way we shall bring honor and glory to God. The doubts and fears against which we have been called to struggle are the precious trials of our faith, God’s workmen that work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Again and again we must raise our eyes to Him who has been lifted up upon the cross. ‘Look and live,’ were the words that were echoed throughout the encampment of Israel when the brazen serpent was erected. This required an act of faith on the part of the suffering victims who had been bitten by the fiery serpents, but they were assured that if they did look, they should live. We also are to look and live.” 28