Photo by Edwardo Ramos on Unsplash
We used to sing a song to our child that went like this:
“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Back then, belief in the Bible wasn’t questioned. It was widely accepted as the Word of God.
However, today, nearly every religious book is accepted on face value, except the Bible.
Why is that?
I must be careful with the answer because I do not want to disrespect or dishonor the religious writings of any religious group.
The truth is, humanity accepts the writings of most historical documents because there is (little or) no way to prove or disprove them, and yet, that is precisely what happens with the Bible.
The fact is, as with all historical documents, humanity must decide to accept them on faith (i.e., as factual).
The reality is, the adversary of the Bible, (known as satan, lucifer, or the devil) does everything imaginable to discount and discredit Christians Holy Book.
The Apostle Paul (writing under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit) puts it this way.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. ”
2 Timothy 3:16
New International Version
So, Jesus is your first love if you believe the Bible.
An old hymn goes like this:
“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.”
The Bible says Jesus did this.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Mark 1:35
New International Version
Why did Jesus come early to the garden?
He came to pray.
By definition, prayer (in this passage of scripture) means to
Supplicate—to ask humbly in earnest
Worship—to honor, revere, express gratitude to God.
One definition goes so far as to say, “to foster a deeper relationship with Him (God).
Jesus (the Son of God) did this early in the day. Why?
The Bible does not specifically answer the why, but common sense tells you:
It was:
Quiet
When he was fresh and could easily focus
Before the busyness of the day
So, Jesus is your first love if your first thoughts are about spending time with Him.
There is a line in a song that says, “You are my desire. Nothing else can take your place.”
It was not uncommon for Jesus to stop whatever he was doing and speak a prayer to the Father.
In one place, Jesus was chiding the towns that rejected his teaching and miraculous works.
He then broke out in prayer, saying,” At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ‘ ” Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”
Matthew 11:25-26
New International Version
It is easy to miss the point of momentary prayer to the Father, but it carries significant weight.
It shows the thoughts of the Father were never far from Jesus’ heart.
I imagine something like this happened.
As Jesus spoke, the Holy Spirit whispered the words of the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah,
“From now on, I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.”
Isaiah 48:6
New International Version
So, Jesus is your first love if thoughts of the Lord are often in your heart.
Our world is growing darker, not light and darkness darker, but spiritually darker.
Evil is stepping out of the shadows and being embraced by those who have a taste for it. It is a sign of the end of the age.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”
2 Timothy 3:1
New International Version
As a Christ-follower, I find this can be both exciting and scary.
Exciting because it means the promises of God are (finally) taking place.
Scary because it means unparalleled sorrow and hardship on earth.
Returning to your first love (Jesus) has never had more importance than today.
These three simple reminders are lifelines for Christ-followers.
Jesus is your first love if
you believe the Bible.
Your first thoughts are about spending time with Him.
thoughts of the Lord are often in your heart.
Time is growing short, and dependence on the Lord’s guidance is available for those who return to their first love.
Humanity has entered a time of historical proportions, and being close to God will mean the difference between finding spiritual freedom or a deepening of spiritual bondage.
Stay close.