Putting First Things First.
The first thing to understand in our quest for a better relationship with God is that we are pursuing just that, a real caring close relationship with God. We do not desire more dos and don’ts; we don’t desire more external lists of things to accomplish. We want to improve our relationship with God. Although God does desire and demand certain things from His people, He does not desire them to come with a detached attitude devoid of passion. When Jesus spoke to a church in the book of Revelation He had this to say as they became lukewarm in their love and devotion to Him and yet tried to keep the works going out of a sense of duty.
• ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 (NASB95)
This is unfortunately not uncommon and we all have to fight to maintain the love we once had for God. To another church Jesus said this,
• ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:2-5 (NASB95)
It is interesting to note that the church was still doing things that would be considered good, but they had lost their first love and that made their “works” unfit in the eyes of God. He tells them to do the deeds they did at first. Those deeds they were called to do are the same as deeds they were already doing except that they would be doing them from a motivation of a love for God. Jesus underlines the importance of our love relationship with God by placing anything less in the category of sin. Note that repentance was necessary on the part of the church that lost their first love. God is not interested in people adhering to a standard that comes from anywhere other than a heartfelt love for Him. This was one of the main complaints that God had against the Jewish people. They are His people and they have a wonderful history with Him and yet they often respond to Him out of duty and not from the heart.
• ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. Matthew 15:8 (NASB95)
His people were outwardly honoring Him by trying to be obedient but their hearts were not in it. This type of obedience leads more often than not leads to disobedience. When a person loves another, the one who loves desires more than anything to please the one who is loved. This always leads to a life of obedience. Disobedience in a loving relationship is the exception and not the rule. When disobedience occurs in a loving relationship there is a repentance, a desire to set things right. When obedience comes from anywhere other than a heart’s desire to please the one loved, God in this case, there is an ulterior motive for the obedience. It may be to see one-self as better than others or to earn the love of God. Obedience may come from a fear of God and a desire to stay out of Hell or it may come from a desire to earn favors from God during a tough time in life. There are many motivations which can result in sporadic obedience when simple love for God is not the motivation. This was true of the Jewish nation.
• Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (NASB95)
When a person loves God, he obeys the voice of God for love’s sake. God has no interest in a people who simply have a check list of requirements that they feel they must keep in order to please Him. He desires a relationship with His people, a relationship which acknowledges Him as the Creator God and where He loves and cares for His people as their benefactor. Both sides of the relationship come with responsibilities.
• “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; Jeremiah 32:38 (NASB95)
This is the desire of God. This is the will of God for you. Jesus prayed these words shortly before His death.
• “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21 (NASB95)
Since this is the heart of God he will grant you your prayer as you ask Him to deepen your relationship with Him. Ask Him to begin to help you cultivate the close relationship you want with Him. Ask Him to deepen your love for Him and He will give you the desire of your heart.
• “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 (NASB95)
Congratulations, if you now understand that the Christian life is a life of relationship and not consists mainly of dos and don’ts you have begun down a path that ultimately leads to a life that is beyond anything you could ever image or hope for. It is a life that was meant to be lived by all of God’s children. Love God with all your heart and begin in His word by reading first John chapters 1 thru 3, meditating on what you read. Join us next week as we progress further in our study.
Jeff
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