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Editorial

Rekindle your passion for Christ

  • PublishedMay 13, 2014

By Sarah Njeri Boro

Why does our spiritual passion fade so easily? When we first experience God’s love, we spend hours thinking about Him, studying His Word and telling others how much He means to us. Then it happens; our busy schedule gradually dampens our passion. Our longing for God and our study of His character becomes an occasional glance. Nonetheless, the object of our affection – God – never changes.

The church at Ephesus wrestled with sustaining their spiritual passion. Jesus wanted to help them restore and maintain their love and zeal for Him. Although He commended this church for their work, He realised that they had abandoned their first love. In Revelation 2:4, we read: “Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!”

They had lost their spiritual passion for Christ. It had become a cold and mechanical orthodoxy. I wonder if they had allowed their personal matters to override their spiritual passion. Whatever it was, something had stolen the affection they had once reserved for the Lord. Have you allowed something to steal your spiritual passion? If so, it can be restored and maintained when you consistently remember His amazing love demonstrated when he died for our sins. Repent of your sinful, unloving attitudes as stated in Revelation 2:5: “Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

In Acts 17, when Paul went to Thessalonica to declare the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many listeners who gathered were not spiritual seekers. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, records that they spent their days wanting to discuss the latest new ideas, with little interest in acting on what they learned. The Christ followers on the road to Emmaus would have agreed as exemplified in Luke 24: 32; “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the scripture to us?”

As they grieved the death of Jesus, the risen Christ Himself joined them but hid his identity. He began instructing them on the ancient prophecies of those events found throughout the Old Testament. Later that day, Christ revealed Himself to them and then departed. After the departure of Jesus, they marveled at what they had heard. The things He taught were not sterile facts but a fire that kindled their hearts with devotion for Him. May we likewise trust the shepherd of our souls to rekindle our hearts as we grow in His word.

As we walk along the road of life, we can sense that Jesus is there too. As we read His word and hear His voice we will find He kindles the fire in us anew. You can’t start a fire in another’s heart unless it is burning in yours. When someone loves another, there is a compelling desire to express it. Hence those timeless words: “How do I love thee?” Think back to the Lord’s special work in your life or call on Him for today’s needs. Then compose your own Psalms of love: “I will love you, O Lord…”

To renew your love for Christ, review Christ’s love for you.

Published on May 2014

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