Perhaps one of the most cherished statements made by man is the words: “I love you.” If sincere they can build us into people who value ourselves. God designed us for love. 1 John 4 informs us that: “… God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.” God is the source of all true love and we need to experience it and live in it to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for our lives. To abide means that we dwell within the realm and restrictions of something daily. This is where we live and linger. John reassures us in 1 John 4:18 that God’s love will cast out our fears and give us confidence before Him. The end of verse 17 however, issues a challenge. We will have boldness in the day of judgment, only if we are like Him in this world.
In the book of Revelation, John addresses our brothers and sisters in Ephesus. They are to be commended for many good things. However, in Rev. 2:4 John speaks of a problem that threatened to remove the lamp stand of His presence if not corrected. John says: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Love then, is something we receive from God but it is also something we can forsake.
History reveals that the church in Ephesus was nestled in a harbor that allowed for trade to flourish. As a result, this was an affluent culture. Ephesus had many pagan shrines and the brethren were diligent to protect the church from religious heresy. Although this was a noble and effort, I believe Jesus was warning them that zeal for doctrinal purity must be kept without abandoning the brotherly love that motivated a dynamic fellowship and the zeal for evangelism. The plea of Christ through John was “….remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works.”
Remembering what God has done for us provides the humble backdrop from which all Christian growth evolves. The Apostle Paul reminded the brethren in Corinth to remember their own past failings. He does not want them to forget what Christ had done for them “… But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11) No matter what our sin, we all stand in need of God’s salvation and must never forget that we cannot spiritually live without Him. Apparently our brethren in Ephesus were guilty of this same error.
So the question arises: “How can I know if I am a loving Christian? How does this great love of God work in my life? What must I remember to remain faithful to God’s command to love as we have been loved by Him (John 13:34)?”
1 John 3:14 assures us that we can know if the love of Christ is working in us. How? John states: “WE KNOW that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” If this is true, and God’s word is always true, how does His love operate in our relationships with the brethren? The inward heart of a truly transformed Christian will express itself my manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 defines the qualities of true love. If I have God’s love in my heart I will have joy. The joy of His presence will bring contentment to my soul and allow me to be at peace with others. If I have peace within I will be able to maintain a patient attitude with those who might offend, misunderstand, oppose and dislike me. God’s peace will allow me to be kind to all men, especially my brethren. This kindness will produce a sustained goodness in my character and God will bless me with strength to be faithful. As one who is faithful, I will have blessed assurance and not be disturbed by fleshly weaknesses that cause me to react instead of respond to difficulties with others. Instead, I will be gentle seeking peace and learn how to speak the truth in love. All of this will develop within me self-control and promote faith in God’s control over my life. Truly, there is no law that can bring about this profound change in human nature. Only the love of God can effectively remedy the selfish human heart.
In particular, as God’s holy women, we have been told that our God loves a women with a “… a quiet and gentle spirit.” 1 Peter 3:4. To be free from confusion and chaos within, we must allow the joy of the Lord to be our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) When we are free from emotional agitation which can so easily drain us of our energy and devotion to love, we will have the moral courage to be diligent in standing for the truth. We will be perfected into the image of our Lord and do the work of ministry. Let us then resolve to pursue love (1 Cor. 14:1). When love is operating in our lives as God intended we will bear fruit within and in the world around us. Let us never leave our first love!