JOHN 19:25-26 – But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
THEME OF THE DAY: PREVENTING THE LOSS OF FIRST LOVE FOR JESUS. Jesus warns us in the last days sin would abound causing many to grow spiritually cold – And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:11-12). This is the challenge we face every waking moment of every day; the loss of first love for Christ. Yet, we don’t have to experience this worst of spiritual conditions. We can overcome it, defeat it, and not live under its soul-deadening influence. Here are four ways.
First, spend much time doing what Jesus said to His mother in today’s scripture – “Behold your son” or for us, “Behold the Son.” Regularly and fervently, take our Bibles and read the crucifixion scene. Sit often looking up at the bleeding Savior. Gaze at His broken body. Hear His dying words. Behold the Son! Without many visits to the cross of God’s love, we will grow spiritually cold having the outward appearance of a Christian but not the inward spiritual realities.
The next step to take to avoid the loss of first love is faithfully attend a church where the Bible is preached, not a short 20 minute motivational speech, or little sermon telling us “how to do this” or “how to be that.” No, put ourselves under the regular, even weekly, preaching of the Word that is expositional and takes us deep into God’s Word to “Behold His Son.” If we are in locations where a good sound Bible-preaching church doesn’t exist, take advantage of podcasts and websites broadcasting good preaching. However, if we do live near a Bible-preaching church, be faithful to attend. Live-streams, podcasts, and websites are not to be substitutes.
A third step to prevent a lukewarm loss of first love for Jesus heart is to frequently meet with other Christians to pray and be in God’s Word together. Build spiritual relationships with those who love Christ, They will be a great influence and source of spiritual protection for us against loss of first love.
Finally, if we are to avoid Jesus’ words becoming descriptive of our lives, we must safeguard our relationship with God for what it is; the most important one we have. This means committing to seeking Him daily in the Word and prayer; disciplining ourselves against worldly influences, keeping spiritual priorities just that, priorities. Live each day desperate for Christ because we are desperate for Christ.
If we heed these practical steps, then we will go a very long way in preventing a heart growing cold because of the increased sin around us.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to keep the many distractions in life away from my gaze upon the cross of Your love.”
QUOTE: “Spend time gazing at Jesus on the Cross. If we don’t, we will drift away from first love for Him.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim