An Article of Faith

Jesus would not have come to the church at Ephesus to warn them and call them back if there was no way to fall in love with Him all over again. Jesus gave us very simple instructions. Personal revival begins here for every true follower of Christ: “But I have this against you,” says Jesus, “that you have left your first love. 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 2:4-5).
“Remember from where you have fallen, ...” The best way to gauge backsliding is to look back to where you started in your walk with Christ. To remember. To compare the past with the present. Do you remember when you first came to Christ? What was your love for Him like in those days?
It’s not enough to remember and then wallow in the despair of lost love. It’s only the first step. Jesus calls you to more in the process of personal revival.
“Remember from where you have fallen, and repent ...” Repentance is a an inward change of mind that results in an outward change of direction. It’s coming to realize what you’ve lost and what you need. It’s seeing the value once again of simple, pure devotion to Jesus Christ. It’s talking your eyes off the world and refocusing on Christ. It’s falling in love with God again.
Real repentance is not driven so much by what we turn from as to Whom we turn to. Sometimes repentance happens in a moment. But for most of us repentance is process. We need to take deliberate time to listen to what God is saying directly to us through His precious Word.
“Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; ...” When you love Christ you don’t ignore Him. You want to spend time with Him daily.
Revived people commune with the One they love through prayer. Talk to God and listen intently as He speaks to you by His Spirit through His Word.
People who are in love with Jesus cannot help but talk about how much He means to them and you are unashamed of Christ. When your heart is filled with Jesus your mouth with speak of Him to others: “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34b NIV).
When you see Christ afresh you remember that every single thing you have—indeed, every breath—is a gift from a gracious God. You find yourself surrendering everything back into His control.
Isn’t it time to repent? Why would you turn your back on the One who loves you with a steadfast love? The only One who can satisfy you? The One who is waiting for you even now (taken and adapted from: OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. Visit www.onecry.com.
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).
Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.