Hi Everyone,

“My dad would tell us Bible Stories before we went to sleep at night”, she replied, “And I go to church as often as I can… I don’t think I’ve done anything really bad!” she continued with a nervous grin. This was a friend’s response when we spoke at her mother’s funeral. We’d been speaking about her dear mother and she’d commented about how she should be in heaven, but followed with “Well you just never know if any of us will be do you?”. My response had been that we could know and be secure if Jesus was Lord of our lives and we had a personal relationship with Him. She continued to give me all her reasons why she hoped to go to heaven, but love for the Saviour was not one of them.

Sadly, she’s not the only one, there are many people who think that way and may I dare to say that some even sit in church week after week! They assume that if they’re good and go to church often, or if they were born into a Christian family, that qualifies them for salvation, but that’s not the way to salvation at all, it’s all about our heart and love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus!

Jesus said in John 14:6 (NIV) “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME.”

It’s all about Jesus, what HE did and our relationship with Him.

In 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul says, “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that HE is able…”

It’s about Who and not what! It doesn’t matter how educated you are or your career, your riches or whether you were born in a palace or a prison, no one can earn their salvation, there is nothing that can buy you a ticket to heaven, it’s Jesus and Him alone. (Ephesians 4:12 + Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)).

Our love and relationship with our Lord Jesus should be a priority in our lives, there is nothing more important and we need to keep it intimate and not let us get cold, or even lukewarm. (Revelations 2:4 + Revelations 3:16)

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love",

“Because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I AM about to spit you out of my mouth”.

Don’t let that be you! David made many mistakes but God called Him a man after His heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David knew His God and loved Him dearly. Moses was another who wasn’t perfect but He knew and loved God. Again, I say, it’s not about what you know but WHO, you could be the best theologian and know all about the Bible and yet have no real relationship and love for the Saviour.

Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf, a very wealthy man in the 1700’s had such a great love for the Lord that he spent all his money on sending out missionaries. Another was George Fredrick Handel, a German composer. He sat at his table with tears streaming down his face as he composed the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah.

The unsaved can tell if we’re for real or fake and they want something real to believe in. So, I ask you today…

How much do you love your Saviour?

Has your relationship grown cold?

Do you truly know Him or just about Him?

Is He a priority in your life?

Perhaps it’s time for all of us to examine our hearts and revive our first love anew! Jesus said in  (Matthew 22:37 (NIV))

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

 

God Bless you all and have a great week!

Love Giovanna!