An Article of Faith

As a pastor I’ve dealt with parents who have prodigal children. Nothing is more gut-wrenching to a mom or dad than a child who turns their back on God and on their family and walks away ... usually down very destructive paths. But the worst pain is the lost love and stained relationship.
Does Christ feel this when we lose our love for Him? Is He grieved when we engage in petty, fruitless things that will ultimately destroy us and others (even if these things look respectable)? If Jesus loves us perfectly (and He does), is He burdened when we squander our love on the so-called “gods” of this world?
Our ability to choose is a wonderful provision from our Creator. But it can be deadly when used to choose false gods. And no one knows this more than the Christ Himself. In fact, He put a sobering “PS” on the letter to the Ephesians to drive home the consequences of a loveless life: “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 2:5 NASB).
Jesus warns that if we do not return, He will be forced to remove our lampstand out of its place. The church will lose its power and ultimately its existence. He has not changed in His judgments: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NASB).
Lest you think this impossible, just consider the growing darkness of dying churches. Once vibrant, full of love for Christ, and shedding light in every direction, many churches have slowly turned from their love of Jesus. They’ve grown affectionate toward their comfort, prestige, programs, buildings, maybe even the fellowship that the church affords. But they no longer love Christ as they did at first. “There is nothing more useless” says Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “than a merely formal Christian.”
A church or a believer who fails to repent and return is doomed to a fruitless, faithless, formal life. Spiritual sterility prevails and they bear no spiritual children. They may go through the motions, but the light is gone and God is grieved.
Churches are composed of individual believers (like you and me) who make the choice to remember, repent, and return, or not. If you long for national awakening where millions are ushered into the kingdom, it begins with your return to your first love.
Thank God for your salvation and for the cross of Jesus Christ. If you have never surrendered your heart and life to Christ and received His forgiveness of sin, take time in prayer to do that now: “Dear God, I know that Jesus Christ is Your One and Only Son, and that He died on the cross for my sins and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I am turning from my sin and I am turning to You. I surrender my life to Your control. Thank You for saving me from my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.” (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.