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As God's children, we are called to manifest the glory of God in this world through our lives. When you are God's child, He wants people to see His glory reflected in you. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:18–19 that we should consider the sufferings of this present time as nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God.
God has created every human being with giftings, abilities, and talents. When we become believers, He adds even more—spiritual gifts. There are things in you and me that the earth is waiting for, that the world is waiting for. Isaiah 8:18 declares: "Here am I and the children which God has given me were for signs and wonders." Every child of God is ordained to be a sign and wonder to their world.
However, in order to walk in the full reality of God's glory manifested in our lives, there are certain keys we need to put in place. Just as every door requires a specific key to open, Jesus said in Matthew 16:19: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." One of the most important keys for manifesting God's glory is tied directly to our love for God.
Romans 8:28 is a foundational scripture for understanding why love for God matters so deeply: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
Notice the certainty in this statement: "we know"—we are not in doubt, not hoping or wishing. Everything you are going through right now—whether it appears good or not so good—if you are a child of God and you truly love Him, those things will work out for your good in the end.
Sometimes situations seem very unpleasant. But when you look back, you realize: "If that thing hadn't happened, this blessing would not have happened." God causes all things to work together, but the key is this: it applies to those who truly love God and those who are called according to His purpose.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul writes: "It is written, eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor as entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him."
God repeatedly declares throughout Scripture: If you truly love me, you will experience these things. Could it be that our love for God has grown cold? Could that be why we are not walking in the realities God has promised?
Many people are frustrated because they are attempting to work things out themselves instead of loving God, submitting to His will, listening for His direction, and doing what He says. Frustration comes when we try to do things on our own. But when a man is in love with God, you won't see sweat on his brow—you will see results.
In Matthew 22:36–40, someone asked Jesus: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" In those times, there were 613 commandments in the law of Moses. The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees wanted to know which one was most important.
Jesus made a profound statement:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Jesus summarized all 613 commandments in one simple declaration: Love God with all your heart. To love God with all your heart means to love Him passionately—with your desires, your emotions, your affections, your will. It means to love Him above every other thing else.
You might ask: How do you love a God you cannot see with your physical eyes? It takes faith. But God has not left us alone to try to conjure up that kind of love. God has already poured His love into your heart. Romans 5:5 says: "Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
The potential to love God and to love your neighbor is already there. What God asks from us is to work it out, to stir it up, and to tap into it.
When you truly love someone, you place them before yourself. Love always places its object first. It means making God your point of reference in everything.
Matthew 6:33 says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." The proof of our love for God is when we put Him first in everything—before our career, before our possessions, before our relationships, before our personal ambitions.
King David is a beautiful example. God loved him so much because his heart truly loved God. When they brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, David was dancing with such excitement that his clothes fell from his body. His wife despised him and said, "Why are you disgracing yourself?" David replied, "I will even be more dignified. Who am I? I'm dancing before my God."
In Psalm 119:97, David said: "Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all day."
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:37: "He who loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me."
Where have you placed God in your order of priorities? Is God number one, or is He only whatever you have time for? When you wake up on a Sunday, do you say, "Oh dear, I have to go to church," or do you say, "Yes, today is Sunday"? When you love somebody, you want to always be in their presence.
Psalm 122:1 captures this: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"
Some people send excuses: "It's so hot these days. I'm not sure I can come." But when we love someone, the weather, the distance, the inconvenience—these things don't stop us. If you're dating someone you plan to marry and you send them a message saying, "It's so hot today, I can't see you. Let me wait until the weather clears," that person will begin to doubt whether you truly love them.
What is your attitude towards God? Is He truly first, or do you fit Him in when convenient?
In Revelation 2, Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus and said: "I have something against you. You have left your first love." They were still doing things, still being active, but they had lost their passion. Activity does not equal progress or fruitfulness.
We cannot get away from this: loving God means keeping His commandments. This is the clearest evidence.
John 14:15 says: "If you love me, keep my commandment."
And in John 14:21: "He who has my commandments and keeps them is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
Loving God and keeping His commandments are synonymous. In 1 John 5:3, we read: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome."
His commandments are not grievous. A true lover of God is excited to obey every commandment from God. They don't find it burdensome. When you begin to feel, "Everyone is doing it," or "This is the 21st century"—no. When you love God, you obey what He says, regardless of the culture around you.
Psalm 112:1 says: "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments."
There are people who argue, "This must not be in the Bible. It's a new century. This is old time." But there is nothing old about God's Word. Jesus said: "Earth may pass away. Not a jot of my word will pass away."
Even in parts of the body of Christ, people say, "We don't need to live by this anymore. We don't need to do that anymore." But the word of God is final authority. It is the final instruction.
Jesus Himself said in John 8:29: "And he who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me for I always do those things that please him."
God is challenging us: Do we, by His grace, always do those things that are pleasing in His sight? Because loving Him means we obey Him. You cannot say you love someone while refusing to do what they ask. When a man truly loves God, he submits to the will of God in obedience. Jesus said in the garden: "Not my will, but your will be done."
When we truly love God, we serve His kingdom willingly, not grudgingly.
After Jesus died and rose again, Peter went back to fishing. Jesus appeared to him and posed a profound challenge recorded in John 21:15–17:
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than this?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
When we become believers, we should ask ourselves: What can I contribute? What has God given me? What giftings has God placed in me that I can use for His kingdom?
When we see Jesus face to face, He will not ask: "How much money did you make?" Based on Scripture, He will ask: "What have you done with the giftings, the ability, the resources I gave you?"
There is a work God has given every one of us to do for His kingdom. Many people live their entire lives and never fulfill their purpose or destiny. God has committed a work to each of us—work tied to His kingdom.
In Acts 13:36, the Holy Spirit says: "Separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work that I have committed unto them."
Your normal job may be a platform for this work, but the work God has given you is tied to His kingdom. If you don't know what it is yet, start with something in your local church. Volunteer. Do something for His kingdom. Don't let your life revolve only around yourself with nothing to do with God's kingdom.
Jesus said: "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few." God is looking for people who will talk about Him to others, who will do the work of the ministry.
When we truly love God, you will tell others about Him. If you don't have love for souls, we have to check whether we truly love Him.
In 1 Corinthians 9:16, Apostle Paul said: "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"
While evangelists have a special calling to win souls, every one of us is meant to be a witness. Have you ever led someone to Christ? Have you ever spoken to anyone about your faith? This is profoundly important.
Proverbs 11:30 says: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
I believe that soul winning is one of the most valuable, most profitable works you can do in God's kingdom. Why? In Matthew 16:26, Jesus said: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
The soul of a human being is worth more than all the total money you can find on the face of this earth. That's how God sees a human soul.
The only time Scripture speaks of the angels rejoicing in heaven is when a soul is saved. In Luke 15:10: "Likewise I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner just one. When one person gets saved, the angels are rejoicing."
Can you see how important and powerful it is to win souls and to speak about our faith to our brothers, our sisters, our family? When we truly know God and love Him, we will be passionate about souls.
I remember walking in a place where a directors' meeting was happening, and it suddenly dawned on me: These people are not saved. If anything happens to them, where will their souls end up? Soul winning is the most important, most valuable work we can do for God's kingdom.
John 4:36 says: "He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together."
If you want something quick from God, go win souls for Christ. You will realize how God will open doors for you. The disciples, after Jesus resurrected and went back to heaven, were passionate about Jesus. They didn't keep quiet. If they had, none of us would know about Jesus 2,000 years later. They laid down their lives. Their lives were nothing to them.
Apostle Paul said in Philippians: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
When you truly love someone, you love what they love and hate what they hate. We cannot hate what God loves and then prove that we love Him.
Psalm 97:10 says: "You who love the Lord, hate evil. He preserves the soul of His saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked."
And Psalm 139:21: "Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate you? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?"
When you love someone, you realize that you're becoming like them. You may not have liked something before, but as you grow in love for that person, you begin to love what they love.
Proverbs 6:16–19 lists things God clearly hates:
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
A proud look. A lying tongue. God wants us to be truthful in all our ways. Hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked plans. A false witness who speaks lies. One who sows discord among brethren.
Imagine someone going around spreading news that causes people to distrust one another. God said, "I hate that."
God hates pride. In fact, Scripture says: "God will resist the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." It's not even the devil that resists the proud—it is God Himself. Any form of pride in our life should be removed. Let's ask God to get rid of it.
What if your love for God has grown cold? What should you do? Bible is very clear.
In Revelation 2:1–5, Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus:
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write: 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.'"
Jesus identified the problem: They had left their first love. They were still doing things, still active, still working—but they had lost their passion.
But Jesus also provided the solution. There are three or four essential steps:
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen."
Take time to reflect on when your love for God was vibrant. Remember what you used to do. What was your prayer life like? How eager were you when studying God's word? How passionate were you about worship?
When you remember those things, it rekindles your affection. It helps you to identify where your heart has drifted. Maybe years ago you were very passionate about Christ. God is saying: "Look, remember those times. Remember the word I gave you. Remember how passionate you were."
Remembering rekindles gratitude and helps us identify where our hearts have wandered.
"Repent and do the first works."
You can trace back when your love grew cold. If you sit down and meditate honestly, you can remember: "Since I started this relationship... Since I started this job... Since I got involved with this person..." There is always a point of reference.
Jesus said: "Sit down. Have a think. What has happened to me? Is it this relationship? Is it this business?" There are things that come into our lives—they may not be bad things in themselves, but they have come to stifle our access and our relationship with God. Those things must give way.
Jesus said: "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." He was speaking about how serious sin can be.
Consider Samson in the Bible. He was a powerful man of God. An angel came to his parents to tell them what he should eat and not eat. But because of many things, his enemies took his eyes out and put him in prison. He started grinding grain. What a sight—someone meant to command the power of God, to heal people, to do all manner of things. God gave him unusual strength, but he threw it all away.
But guess what? One day Samson sat by himself and realized where he had fallen. He said to God: "Just one more time, restore my strength." And God did it. God is such a merciful God.
Think of the prodigal son. He took his inheritance, left his father's house, and squandered it all. But one day "he came to himself" and said: "Am I not better being a servant in my father's house?" He went back home. As he was coming, the father ran towards him. The father celebrated his return.
That is the picture of our Father. It doesn't matter what you have done. It doesn't matter how messed up you are. God does not judge us the way human beings judge one another. God is love. He embraces us. No matter what you've done, you can run back to Him, and He will cleanse you and make you whole.
Without repentance, nobody can make it. We have to repent. Repentance means to turn back. You're going one way, and you turn around and go the other way. You know exactly what is stopping your relationship with God.
Our love grows cold because of:
Repent of whatever has replaced God in your life.
"Do the first works."
Jesus said: "Remember from where you are fallen, repent, and go back to do those first works."
Go back to those spiritual practices:
No matter where you are now, you can begin again. It's not how you start; it's how you finish.
There was a race I watched—I think it was the Olympics—a women's hurdles event. As they started, one of the women hit the second hurdle and fell down. The rest kept going. But she picked herself up and started running. Do you know she won the race?
It's not where we are now; it's how we finish. And it's very important to feed on the word of God and not neglect our spiritual practices.
Those spiritual practices cannot happen unless we do them. Nobody can do them for us. Just as my wife cannot go to the gym for me, nobody can grow spiritually on your behalf. Nobody can mature on your behalf. Every one of us must take responsibility for our own spiritual life.
Even as a leader, I need to refresh myself every day. I need to pray. I cannot say, "Because I'm a pastor, I don't need to." No. Each of us must take personal responsibility. Say: "I will take responsibility."
Let me ask you directly: What is it that has taken the place of God in your life? God impressed upon my heart that some people's love for God has grown cold, and He wants them back. He yearns for you to run back to Him.
What has taken first place instead of God in your heart? What are the things competing for your affection? There are things God wants to do in your life and through your life. God wants you to run back to Him.
As God's children, we are called to manifest the glory of God in this world through our lives. When you are God's child, He wants people to see His glory reflected in you. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:18–19 that we should consider the sufferings of this present time as nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God.
God has created every human being with giftings, abilities, and talents. When we become believers, He adds even more—spiritual gifts. There are things in you and me that the earth is waiting for, that the world is waiting for. Isaiah 8:18 declares: "Here am I and the children which God has given me were for signs and wonders." Every child of God is ordained to be a sign and wonder to their world.
However, in order to walk in the full reality of God's glory manifested in our lives, there are certain keys we need to put in place. Just as every door requires a specific key to open, Jesus said in Matthew 16:19: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." One of the most important keys for manifesting God's glory is tied directly to our love for God.
Romans 8:28 is a foundational scripture for understanding why love for God matters so deeply: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
Notice the certainty in this statement: "we know"—we are not in doubt, not hoping or wishing. Everything you are going through right now—whether it appears good or not so good—if you are a child of God and you truly love Him, those things will work out for your good in the end.
Sometimes situations seem very unpleasant. But when you look back, you realize: "If that thing hadn't happened, this blessing would not have happened." God causes all things to work together, but the key is this: it applies to those who truly love God and those who are called according to His purpose.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul writes: "It is written, eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor as entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him."
God repeatedly declares throughout Scripture: If you truly love me, you will experience these things. Could it be that our love for God has grown cold? Could that be why we are not walking in the realities God has promised?
Many people are frustrated because they are attempting to work things out themselves instead of loving God, submitting to His will, listening for His direction, and doing what He says. Frustration comes when we try to do things on our own. But when a man is in love with God, you won't see sweat on his brow—you will see results.
In Matthew 22:36–40, someone asked Jesus: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" In those times, there were 613 commandments in the law of Moses. The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees wanted to know which one was most important.
Jesus made a profound statement:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Jesus summarized all 613 commandments in one simple declaration: Love God with all your heart. To love God with all your heart means to love Him passionately—with your desires, your emotions, your affections, your will. It means to love Him above every other thing else.
You might ask: How do you love a God you cannot see with your physical eyes? It takes faith. But God has not left us alone to try to conjure up that kind of love. God has already poured His love into your heart. Romans 5:5 says: "Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
The potential to love God and to love your neighbor is already there. What God asks from us is to work it out, to stir it up, and to tap into it.
When you truly love someone, you place them before yourself. Love always places its object first. It means making God your point of reference in everything.
Matthew 6:33 says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." The proof of our love for God is when we put Him first in everything—before our career, before our possessions, before our relationships, before our personal ambitions.
King David is a beautiful example. God loved him so much because his heart truly loved God. When they brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, David was dancing with such excitement that his clothes fell from his body. His wife despised him and said, "Why are you disgracing yourself?" David replied, "I will even be more dignified. Who am I? I'm dancing before my God."
In Psalm 119:97, David said: "Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all day."
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:37: "He who loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me."
Where have you placed God in your order of priorities? Is God number one, or is He only whatever you have time for? When you wake up on a Sunday, do you say, "Oh dear, I have to go to church," or do you say, "Yes, today is Sunday"? When you love somebody, you want to always be in their presence.
Psalm 122:1 captures this: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"
Some people send excuses: "It's so hot these days. I'm not sure I can come." But when we love someone, the weather, the distance, the inconvenience—these things don't stop us. If you're dating someone you plan to marry and you send them a message saying, "It's so hot today, I can't see you. Let me wait until the weather clears," that person will begin to doubt whether you truly love them.
What is your attitude towards God? Is He truly first, or do you fit Him in when convenient?
In Revelation 2, Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus and said: "I have something against you. You have left your first love." They were still doing things, still being active, but they had lost their passion. Activity does not equal progress or fruitfulness.
We cannot get away from this: loving God means keeping His commandments. This is the clearest evidence.
John 14:15 says: "If you love me, keep my commandment."
And in John 14:21: "He who has my commandments and keeps them is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
Loving God and keeping His commandments are synonymous. In 1 John 5:3, we read: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome."
His commandments are not grievous. A true lover of God is excited to obey every commandment from God. They don't find it burdensome. When you begin to feel, "Everyone is doing it," or "This is the 21st century"—no. When you love God, you obey what He says, regardless of the culture around you.
Psalm 112:1 says: "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments."
There are people who argue, "This must not be in the Bible. It's a new century. This is old time." But there is nothing old about God's Word. Jesus said: "Earth may pass away. Not a jot of my word will pass away."
Even in parts of the body of Christ, people say, "We don't need to live by this anymore. We don't need to do that anymore." But the word of God is final authority. It is the final instruction.
Jesus Himself said in John 8:29: "And he who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me for I always do those things that please him."
God is challenging us: Do we, by His grace, always do those things that are pleasing in His sight? Because loving Him means we obey Him. You cannot say you love someone while refusing to do what they ask. When a man truly loves God, he submits to the will of God in obedience. Jesus said in the garden: "Not my will, but your will be done."
When we truly love God, we serve His kingdom willingly, not grudgingly.
After Jesus died and rose again, Peter went back to fishing. Jesus appeared to him and posed a profound challenge recorded in John 21:15–17:
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than this?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
When we become believers, we should ask ourselves: What can I contribute? What has God given me? What giftings has God placed in me that I can use for His kingdom?
When we see Jesus face to face, He will not ask: "How much money did you make?" Based on Scripture, He will ask: "What have you done with the giftings, the ability, the resources I gave you?"
There is a work God has given every one of us to do for His kingdom. Many people live their entire lives and never fulfill their purpose or destiny. God has committed a work to each of us—work tied to His kingdom.
In Acts 13:36, the Holy Spirit says: "Separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work that I have committed unto them."
Your normal job may be a platform for this work, but the work God has given you is tied to His kingdom. If you don't know what it is yet, start with something in your local church. Volunteer. Do something for His kingdom. Don't let your life revolve only around yourself with nothing to do with God's kingdom.
Jesus said: "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few." God is looking for people who will talk about Him to others, who will do the work of the ministry.
When we truly love God, you will tell others about Him. If you don't have love for souls, we have to check whether we truly love Him.
In 1 Corinthians 9:16, Apostle Paul said: "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"
While evangelists have a special calling to win souls, every one of us is meant to be a witness. Have you ever led someone to Christ? Have you ever spoken to anyone about your faith? This is profoundly important.
Proverbs 11:30 says: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
I believe that soul winning is one of the most valuable, most profitable works you can do in God's kingdom. Why? In Matthew 16:26, Jesus said: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
The soul of a human being is worth more than all the total money you can find on the face of this earth. That's how God sees a human soul.
The only time Scripture speaks of the angels rejoicing in heaven is when a soul is saved. In Luke 15:10: "Likewise I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner just one. When one person gets saved, the angels are rejoicing."
Can you see how important and powerful it is to win souls and to speak about our faith to our brothers, our sisters, our family? When we truly know God and love Him, we will be passionate about souls.
I remember walking in a place where a directors' meeting was happening, and it suddenly dawned on me: These people are not saved. If anything happens to them, where will their souls end up? Soul winning is the most important, most valuable work we can do for God's kingdom.
John 4:36 says: "He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together."
If you want something quick from God, go win souls for Christ. You will realize how God will open doors for you. The disciples, after Jesus resurrected and went back to heaven, were passionate about Jesus. They didn't keep quiet. If they had, none of us would know about Jesus 2,000 years later. They laid down their lives. Their lives were nothing to them.
Apostle Paul said in Philippians: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
When you truly love someone, you love what they love and hate what they hate. We cannot hate what God loves and then prove that we love Him.
Psalm 97:10 says: "You who love the Lord, hate evil. He preserves the soul of His saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked."
And Psalm 139:21: "Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate you? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?"
When you love someone, you realize that you're becoming like them. You may not have liked something before, but as you grow in love for that person, you begin to love what they love.
Proverbs 6:16–19 lists things God clearly hates:
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
A proud look. A lying tongue. God wants us to be truthful in all our ways. Hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked plans. A false witness who speaks lies. One who sows discord among brethren.
Imagine someone going around spreading news that causes people to distrust one another. God said, "I hate that."
God hates pride. In fact, Scripture says: "God will resist the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." It's not even the devil that resists the proud—it is God Himself. Any form of pride in our life should be removed. Let's ask God to get rid of it.
What if your love for God has grown cold? What should you do? Bible is very clear.
In Revelation 2:1–5, Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus:
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write: 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.'"
Jesus identified the problem: They had left their first love. They were still doing things, still active, still working—but they had lost their passion.
But Jesus also provided the solution. There are three or four essential steps:
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen."
Take time to reflect on when your love for God was vibrant. Remember what you used to do. What was your prayer life like? How eager were you when studying God's word? How passionate were you about worship?
When you remember those things, it rekindles your affection. It helps you to identify where your heart has drifted. Maybe years ago you were very passionate about Christ. God is saying: "Look, remember those times. Remember the word I gave you. Remember how passionate you were."
Remembering rekindles gratitude and helps us identify where our hearts have wandered.
"Repent and do the first works."
You can trace back when your love grew cold. If you sit down and meditate honestly, you can remember: "Since I started this relationship... Since I started this job... Since I got involved with this person..." There is always a point of reference.
Jesus said: "Sit down. Have a think. What has happened to me? Is it this relationship? Is it this business?" There are things that come into our lives—they may not be bad things in themselves, but they have come to stifle our access and our relationship with God. Those things must give way.
Jesus said: "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." He was speaking about how serious sin can be.
Consider Samson in the Bible. He was a powerful man of God. An angel came to his parents to tell them what he should eat and not eat. But because of many things, his enemies took his eyes out and put him in prison. He started grinding grain. What a sight—someone meant to command the power of God, to heal people, to do all manner of things. God gave him unusual strength, but he threw it all away.
But guess what? One day Samson sat by himself and realized where he had fallen. He said to God: "Just one more time, restore my strength." And God did it. God is such a merciful God.
Think of the prodigal son. He took his inheritance, left his father's house, and squandered it all. But one day "he came to himself" and said: "Am I not better being a servant in my father's house?" He went back home. As he was coming, the father ran towards him. The father celebrated his return.
That is the picture of our Father. It doesn't matter what you have done. It doesn't matter how messed up you are. God does not judge us the way human beings judge one another. God is love. He embraces us. No matter what you've done, you can run back to Him, and He will cleanse you and make you whole.
Without repentance, nobody can make it. We have to repent. Repentance means to turn back. You're going one way, and you turn around and go the other way. You know exactly what is stopping your relationship with God.
Our love grows cold because of:
Repent of whatever has replaced God in your life.
"Do the first works."
Jesus said: "Remember from where you are fallen, repent, and go back to do those first works."
Go back to those spiritual practices:
No matter where you are now, you can begin again. It's not how you start; it's how you finish.
There was a race I watched—I think it was the Olympics—a women's hurdles event. As they started, one of the women hit the second hurdle and fell down. The rest kept going. But she picked herself up and started running. Do you know she won the race?
It's not where we are now; it's how we finish. And it's very important to feed on the word of God and not neglect our spiritual practices.
Those spiritual practices cannot happen unless we do them. Nobody can do them for us. Just as my wife cannot go to the gym for me, nobody can grow spiritually on your behalf. Nobody can mature on your behalf. Every one of us must take responsibility for our own spiritual life.
Even as a leader, I need to refresh myself every day. I need to pray. I cannot say, "Because I'm a pastor, I don't need to." No. Each of us must take personal responsibility. Say: "I will take responsibility."
Let me ask you directly: What is it that has taken the place of God in your life? God impressed upon my heart that some people's love for God has grown cold, and He wants them back. He yearns for you to run back to Him.
What has taken first place instead of God in your heart? What are the things competing for your affection? There are things God wants to do in your life and through your life. God wants you to run back to Him.
