Would you allow me to refresh all our minds about the degrees of transformation that begin in us when we are first converted, and the progression of what we refer to as our first love for God?
Firstly, is the return of our Soul to God, which takes place by only one means, which is the Grace of God.
Secondly, the awakening of the Will, where recollection and the instruction of God comes into a new reality.
Thirdly, the spirit of Sacrificial awareness, causes you to be aware of that within you which has become atrophied and suddenly you become unselfishly aware of a greater love which has possessed you. In first love passivity becomes an enemy to be championed and defeated. Divine Love sparks a new contagion within for others.
Fourthly, passivity becomes like a haunting from the past, which must be crucified, just like a bad meditation. Only the continued pursuit of God will always produce the fruit of the spirit which is:
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP)
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
And finally, first love is what my friend Don Milam would call, Naked Faith. We tend to add this and that to the first love faith. The question would be “how naked your faith in God is?” Always remember there is what we know as the “BUT GOD FACTOR,” in the life of believing Believers:
But God said, “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall name him Isaac (laughter); and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.
Genesis 17:19 (AMP)
Jacob had a husband wife conversation with Sarah:
You know that I have served your father with all my strength. Yet your father has cheated me [as often as possible] and changed my wages ten times; but God did not allow him to hurt me.
Genesis 31:6-7 (AMP)
Daniel had a But God moment in the lion’s den:
Then the king gave a command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you constantly serve, rescue you Himself!” A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed concerning Daniel.
Daniel 6:16-17 (AMP)
Ephesians 2 settles the issue of no situation justifies despair:
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:1-5 (KJV)
It is the grace that works in us that will continue to care for others who like you, were and are the subject of His grace and the object of His Love. Simply said, “Passionately”
Your pastor and friend,
Cleddie Keith
Thanking you for your investment in souls, through the moving parts of Heritage Fellowship