“Coldness crept into the church. Differences unworthy of notice sprang up, and the eyes of the believers were taken from beholding Jesus as the author and finisher of their faith. Their love for one another began to wane. The multitudes that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful practice of the truth were left unwarned.” 1

“The early Christians began to look for defects in one another. Dwelling upon mistakes, encouraging suspicion and doubt, giving way to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour and of the great love He had revealed for sinners. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory of the faith, more severe in their criticisms. In their zeal to condemn others, they themselves erred. They forgot the lesson of brotherly love that Christ had taught. And, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives, and that soon they would walk in darkness, having shut the love of God out of their hearts.” 2

Did you notice what had caused this loss of first love? There was a lack of missionary zeal. Why? What had swallowed up the believers’ best energies? Rather than looking to Christ and taking the message to souls in darkness, they had focused instead on nitpicking at one another.

Is this also a snare in our day - and how can we know if we are falling prey to it? Let us quote the servant of the Lord:

“God bids me to say to this people, ‘You have left your first love. You have left many fields unworked, and yet you appear to feel perfectly at ease.’ “3

Let us wake up now and face reality. Just think: if fields are left unworked, if countries are unwarned, if states, provinces, counties, cities, towns, villages, and neighborhoods are still in darkness, that should raise a warning flag in our mind. We must not rest content with such a condition of things! What have we been doing? What has caused us to be so distracted from the task at hand? Has it been the cares of this life - the constant struggle just to survive in today’s society? Or deep down, in some cases, might that preoccupation with managing the day - to - day grind have also been triggered by inner bitterness against others - including even some believers who may have disappointed us? Jesus says there is actually a connection - we may not like to admit it, but the first love experience is lost by looking at the shortcomings of humans rather than to the virtues of Christ.

“It is not the opposition of the world that will endanger us the most; the evil cherished in the hearts of professed Christians works out most grievous disaster and retards most the progress of God’s cause. There is no surer way of weakening ourselves in spiritual things than by being envious, suspicious of one another, full of faultfinding and evil surmising. [James 3:15-18 quoted.]” 4

In order to get back on track, there are some definite steps to take. By retracing our steps, we will see that first love is regained by:

1. Looking to Christ rather than to people.

2. Deeply appreciating God’s forgiving love toward me, a sinner.

3. Accepting that love and forgiving those who have wronged me.

4. Radiating that love toward others.

Yes, this abundant love radiates by giving others - including those seemingly hopeless cases - what we might call “the benefit of the doubt.” We ought to treat people as if they are innocent, unless they are actually proven guilty of open sin. That means: no evil surmising about people’s motives, no wasted moments in petty criticism. It means to envision even those sons of Jacob who sold their brother Joseph into slavery as people who someday will develop into converted patriarchs of present truth. It means having confidence not in what people can do, but in what Christ can do in and through them as they surrender to Him, and we pray for them. The focus of us all is to reflect the image of Jesus fully and to lovingly uplift one another in prayer and in the standards of truth, laboring together in the work of soulsaving.

“On the day of Pentecost, Christ’s witnesses proclaimed the truth, telling men the wonderful news of salvation through Christ. . . . Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. . . . The Spirit of Christ animated the whole congregation; for they had found the pearl of great price.” 5

When every Christian “saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love,” does it mean they all were utterly flawless in character? At that time in history, not necessarily - they did not yet have the fullness of noonday light (Proverbs 4:18) that has shone on our generation. What was it, then, that gave them such a kind, favorable impression of one another?

There is an old saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In whatever direction we choose to look, we tend to see whatever we are specifically looking for. So, if we are not so quick to dwell on things to criticize, we can indeed be among those who “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). “And above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12). “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

During this Week of Prayer, we have read much about the need to exercise love toward Christ and toward others, both in the household of faith and in the world at large. We may have a sincere desire to follow our Lord in this regard and might even think we are doing fairly well at accomplishing this goal. However, it is also important to keep in mind that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Deceitful? Whose heart? Surely someone else’s? No, it is referring to every single human heart. Mine. Yours. Some real, personal heart - searching is necessary when it comes to finding whether or not genuine Christlike love truly reigns within.

Let us pause to ponder for a moment: Do we sometimes rejoice over the spiritual progress of a favorite friend or an interested new soul, yet virtually despise someone else closer to home - perhaps even a fellow believer? This is not right to do. Instead of harboring such partiality, the true “first love” experience is to be broad and generous - it does not harbor favoritism; it is not swayed by old grudges, disappointments, prejudice, or rivalry. Are we careful enough to be aware of whether or not we are actually being consistent in how we think of others?

“Do not cut any man’s hands. I once read of a drowning man who was making desperate efforts to get into a boat close beside him. But the boat was full, and as he grasped the side, those in the boat cut off one of his hands. Then he grasped the boat with the other hand, and that hand was cut off. Then he grasped it with his teeth, and those inside had mercy on him, and lifted him in. But how much better it would have been if they had taken him in before they had cut off his hands!

“My brethren, do not cut a man to pieces before you do anything to help him. God wants us to have hearts of pity. He wants us to have reason and judgment and the sanctification of His Spirit. He is in earnest with us. We are but His little children, and we should ever be learning of Him. Do not stand in the way of others. Do not lose your first love. You may have much knowledge and much intelligence, but if the love of God is lacking, you are not prepared to enter heaven.” 6

Surely you or I would never be like those people in the boat, would we? Perhaps not literally. But in the process of supposedly thinking to help people develop perfection of character, do we sometimes look at them with such highly critical eyes that they feel belittled by hopelessness and shame? Is that really God’s method by which to restore them to His image? It is not!

Sometimes it seems as if an imperfect person can never do anything right. Whatever he or she does, in whatever way it is done, it always seems to be the wrong thing done or the wrong way of doing it. Have you ever harbored this kind of attitude against someone? You might be surprised - don’t trust your own answer to this question - go to God in secret and ask Him! Then, if the Holy Spirit impresses you that this is the case, what do you plan to do about it? Would it not be appropriate to pray for and with that defective person you may not like - and to apologize to him or her about the unkind attitude you have been manifesting? Contempt or disdain for someone is not something easily disguised. It is usually obvious, so he or she probably is aware of the way you feel and has quite likely been hurt by it - perhaps more than you realize. It would also be right to apologize to onlookers whose minds may likely have already been poisoned by the damage done by your treatment of this person.

Have we sometimes dropped a casual word here or there that has blemished the reputation of a fellow believer - especially when we knew we had a sympathetic audience that would readily latch onto our negative attitude and likely agree with us? This is what a pack of dogs will do against a weak or sickly animal, even a member of their own pack. Dogs have a way of sometimes triggering a suddenly hostile, mob - like spirit in one another that can be totally irrational. But such behavior is not befitting to Christians! Only God knows how many souls have been drawn to the truth because of its beauty, only to be driven away from organized religion because of harsh attitudes - attitudes that spread like wildfire when it is easier to join in on picking on a person than to defend him or her against unkind, unjust, or exaggerated criticism.

Do not delay to fix this matter! If it exists in your midst, do not let this Week of Prayer slip past without taking care of the problem - if appropriate, perhaps even before going home from this meeting! The wooing of the Holy Spirit’s voice to your heart may not be heard so readily tomorrow. The time for reconciliation is here and now.

“We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. We may learn the lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking upon the cross, see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the just for the unjust. Behold Him who could summon legions of angels to His assistance with one word, a subject of jest and merriment, of reviling and hatred. He gives Himself a sacrifice for sin. When reviled, He threatened not; when falsely accused, He opened not His mouth. He prays on the cross for His murderers. He is dying for them. He is paying an infinite price for every one of them. He would not lose one whom He has purchased at so great cost. He gives Himself to be smitten, and scourged, without a murmur. And this uncomplaining victim is the Son of God. His throne is from everlasting, and His kingdom shall have no end. . . .

“Look, O look upon the cross of Calvary; behold the royal Victim suffering on your account, and be wise while you have opportunity, and seek now the fountain of life and true happiness. Come, you who complain and murmur at the little inconveniences and the few trials you must bear in this life. Look on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He turns from His royal throne, His high command, and lays aside His royal robe, and clothes His divinity with humanity. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich.

“The Son of God was rejected and despised for our sakes. Can you, in full view of the cross, beholding by the eye of faith the sufferings of Christ, tell your tale of woe, your trials? Can you nurse revenge of your enemies in your heart while the prayer of Christ comes from His pale and quivering lips for His revilers, His murderers - ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34)?

“A work is before us to subdue pride and vanity, that seek a place in our hearts, and through penitence and faith to bring ourselves into familiar and holy converse with Jesus Christ. We must not shrink from the depths of humiliation to which the Son of God submitted in order to raise us from the degradation and bondage of sin to a seat at his right hand. We must deny self and fight continually against pride. We must hide self in Jesus Christ, and let Him appear in our conversation and character as the One altogether lovely, and the chief among ten thousand. Our lives, our deportment, will testify how highly we prize Christ, and the salvation He has wrought out for us at such a cost to Himself. While we look constantly to Him whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows have burdened, we shall acquire strength to be like Him.” 7

“If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this evilspeaking; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s Word forbids this kind of conversation. We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul temple, that Christ may dwell within. The Redeemer has told us how we may reveal Him to the world. If we cherish His Spirit, if we manifest His love toward others, if we guard one another’s interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the fruits we bear will give evidence to the world that we are God’s children. It is unity in the church that enables Christians to exert a strong influence upon unbelievers. . . .

“Every heart has its own sorrows and disappointments, and we should seek to lighten one another’s burdens by manifesting the love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven and heavenly things, evil - speaking would soon cease to have any attraction for us. . . .

“Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves. Everyone should inquire, Is my heart right before God? Am I glorifying my heavenly Father? If you have cherished a wrong spirit, banish it from the soul. Eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling nature. Pluck up every root of bitterness, lest others be contaminated by the baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour and cultivate in its stead the plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul temple.” 8

“Let no differences or dissensions exist in the church. Let all go to work to help someone who needs help. There is a cause for the great weakness in our churches, and that cause is hard to remove. It is self. Men have none too much will, but they must have it wholly sanctified to God. They need to fall on the Rock and be broken.” 9

“The first works of the church were seen when the believers sought out friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and with hearts overflowing with love told the story of what Jesus was to them and what they were to Jesus. . . .

“There can be no scolding or fretting, no arbitrary authority exercised, no putting forth of the finger and speaking vanity; but come to the work with hearts warmed with love for Jesus and for precious souls for whom He died.” 10

“After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples went forth to proclaim a risen Saviour, their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self - denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s sake.” 11

“God wants every soul to return to the first love. He wants all to have the gold of faith and love, so that they can draw from the treasure to impart to others who need it.

“Then the believers will be of one heart and of one mind, and the Lord will make His word powerful in the earth. New cities and villages and territories will be entered; the church will arise and shine, because her light has come, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon her. New converts will be added to the churches, and those who now claim to be converted will feel in their own hearts the transforming power of the grace of Christ.” 12

Fellow believers, why not eagerly take hold of this tremendous opportunity to be part of the action! Christ has done the bidding; He supplies the power - all He asks is our willing cooperation - and a very humble attitude toward one another!