2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

THEME OF THE DAY. DON’T FORGET. The greatest challenge Christians face in this world is not the allurements of the world, the enticement of the flesh, or the deceitfulness of the devil. Those are very real and present dangers, but our greatest battle comes from our mind and its bent toward forgetfulness. The Apostle Peter knew this tendency in believers. He wrote, “I think it is right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of remembrance, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (2 Peter 1:13-15). And the danger of forgetting things as a Christian is serious. If we don’t regularly engage our minds and remember the truths of God, particularly the truths of what it means to be a Christian, we will lose first love for Jesus (Revelation 2:1-7). I am not sure anything is more grievous to the heart of God than for His children to lose fervent love for Him and His Son. And nothing is so unattractive to a watching world than to be a Christian in profession only. When first love for Jesus is lost, so is the power and zeal to live for and model Christ. We simply become Christians in name only. We will have all the outward conduct of being a Christian but lack the Fruit of the Spirit inward reality of being a Christian. Yet, we can prevent this. All it will take is to frequently get off the fast-track of life, get alone with God, and meditate on what it means to be a Christian. If we do this consistently, our hearts will maintain a white-hot love for the Lord Jesus. So, together, let’s do that; let’s think about three things defining what it means to be a Christian.

First, a Christian is a person for whom Christ died for – But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Oh, friends, don’t let this amazing truth become familiar truth with a familiarity that dulls the heart and causes us to forget what it cost God to make us Christians.

Next, a Christian is a person in whom Christ dwells – To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Never forget this staggering truth. We are never alone; Christ is in us. We are never without power to overcome temptation; Christ is in us. We are never without the greatest friend; Christ is in us. And this also means we have no right or excuse to toy with or commit sin; Christ is in us.

A third amazing truth not to forget as a Christian is Christ prays for us – Consequently, Christ is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus prays for His own, not sometimes, but all the time. There is never a trial, temptation, or difficulty that we encounter where the Lord Jesus isn’t fervently praying for us. When life is hard and trials intense, remember the praying Savior. It will lift up downcast hearts, and set us soaring with joy and peace.

Forgetfulness. It is our greatest challenge to maintaining first love for Jesus. May the Lord help us to strive for minds stayed upon Him, and thus keep our hearts stayed upon Him.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to never lose the wonder and awe of bearing Your Son’s name and being a Christian.”

QUOTE: “Take time regularly to ponder what happened to you when God made you a Christian. It will keep first love for Jesus aflame.”