Back to Love

What did the beginning of your Christian walk look like? How did you prioritize your relationship with God?

Maybe you committed to reading the Word daily. Maybe you vowed to set aside time to pray and worship and be in awe of His presence. 

What was it that you did that showed God He was now everything to you, and you no longer wanted to do life without Him?

During our Christian walk, oftentimes we’re so radically changed by the love of God, that in the beginning, all we desire to do is serve Him and spend time in His presence. We want others to know about this Love that we’ve found and we’re in shock that we lived life any other way. 

A changed life is a beautiful thing.

I was reading through Revelation and what Jesus said to this Church stood out to me...

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first."

 Revelation 2:2-5 (NLT)

Could it be that your actions are still on fire for God, but somewhere along the way you forgot about your love for Him (and His people)?

I’m asking you these questions but it’s something I’m really asking myself. I never want to get so lost in doing the “works” that I forget to just love God.

One thing I want to point out is that Jesus actually recognizes and applauds their hard work and perseverance. He takes the time to list out all the things they’re doing well. Maybe He’s just reminding us all to choose what’s  “better” and focus on what actually matters. 

So let’s challenge ourselves to go back to what we did when we first discovered the Love that changed our life. Turn away from doing the “works of a Christian”, aimlessly, and remember that retaining your love of Christ is the real goal. 

That Love still radically changes lives, redeems mistakes, removes shame, and fills the void in your heart that the world will never be able to. 

It also has the power to do all the things you were trying to do in your own efforts anyway.

Let’s choose what's better - Love.