The closer I draw to Christ, the more I realize His mission was all about love and compassion.
Growing up in a Christian home, my parents didn't allow any of us to date especially while in High School. So, it was really special for me when I started dating my then boyfriend. I still remember the first time he brought me red roses to symbolize his love for me. At the time, and sometimes even now, I would refer to him as my 'first love'. I did because he was/is the first guy I dated. But is he really my first love?
I John 4 verses 7 through 21 records a lot about love and the punchline of the chapter [for me] is verse 19 which will be the focus of today's post. Verse 19 states: "We love him, because he first loved us".
The term 'first love' is reserved for the person who gets your love first. Its as simply as that. While a lot of people today may try to claim that title, the truth is that only Jesus can rightfully claim that spot.
You see from back in the beginning, after sin entered the world God knew the entire human race would forever be tainted by that first sin; but He still loved us.
Today, He continues to pursue us and models the perfect example of keeping the flames alive for a first love.
I'd like you to think back to the first time you started to understand the word love or the first time you associated something special to that word [this can be anything and doesn't have to be in the context of a romantic relationship]. How did it make you feel? What kind of memories do you have associated with it?
For most of us, the memory that came to mind was something/someone special that we will probably always think fondly of.
Now for the next part of this question: how many of us thought about Jesus?
You see, I've met a lot of Christians that will quote scripture after scripture about how God is love and that He should be our first love, but how many people really think of God as their first love? Because if you truly do, your entire life will seek to glorify and honor Him.
In light of this, let me quickly share with you a couple things that will happen if God is truly your first love
You will love others
I Cor 13 verses 1 through 13 is a familiar chapter to a lot of us. The first few verse states: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful..."
The closer I draw to Christ, the more I realize His mission was all about love and compassion. This was the driving force of His ministry here on earth. What compels your ministry/calling?
2. Your love will reflect His love.
Reflection is a throwback of an image. Not only will you love others, but truly having Christ as your first love, the type of love you show to others will reflect His type of love.
As much as we all would like to think we love and care for others like Jesus does, the truth is that we can't effectively love others without Jesus' transformative power in our lives; let alone reflect His type of love.
This type of love is identical to what Jesus showed when he was willing to die for us while we were yet sinners [Romans 5:8].
It's a love that condemns professing to love God, yet hating others. I John 4: 20 and 21: "If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." [ESV]
Conclusion
I realize today is Valentine's Day and a lot of people [including myself] will be celebrating love. But the love been talked about in today's post is a different kind of love. It's one that goes deeper beyond anything our earthly minds can truly comprehend.
It's a love that would reach into the vilest places of earth and transform a broken vessel into a masterpiece. It's a love that will compel you to give up your earthly wants and desires to gain an eternal home. It's a love that will accept your faults and mistakes, change you and give you a testimony that will impact others.
Is Jesus truly your first love? Cause if He is, then the things I just wrote above are not new/strange to you. If they are, then you need to seek God and ask Him to change your love and view of Him.
Prayer Suggestion
Ask the Lord to renew your love for Him. Ask Him to teach and transform your love into His type to love. Look for ways to show love this week.
Stay Blessed
❤
Image credit: GEM-B
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