August 3, 2008(Sunday)
The Revelation of John presents a vision of Christ saying to a church, “You are lukewarm!” In Matthew 24:12, Jesus said some people’s love for Him will grow cold because of the influence of an ungodly world. Plainly, Jesus does not want our love to be lukewarm or cold; He encouraged us all to warm up our love for Him.
On the basis of Jesus’ encouragement of us to love Him more each day, I give you three suggestions: 1. Warm up your love by listening to Christ, 2. Warm up your love by living for Christ, and 3. Warm up your love by looking at Christ.
Warm up your love by listening to Christ. Love is cooled by listening to voices that have a negative influence. The name of Jesus is wonderful to believers, but is defamed every day by the enemies of faith. We do well to spend time with people who love the Lord; they are a good influence upon us. It is important for us to spend time with the Lord in prayer and Bible Study each day because the practice encourages strong love for the Lord.
Warm up your love by living for Christ. The ungodly influences of this world can impact our lives. Unless we take action to draw near to the Lord each day, evil thoughts will enter and we will love the Lord less. If we give in to temptation and allow ourselves to try the sinful ways of others, then our love for the Lord will cool off. If you hear yourself saying, “Everybody does it,” or “Business is business” to justify behavior that is less that exemplary, then your love is cooling. Living for Jesus strengthens our faith and warms our love.
Warm up your love by looking at Christ. A great hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Focus on the grace of our Lord Jesus and His great love for you. Spend some time at the foot of the cross, gazing into the face of the One who loves you so much He gave Himself for you. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
“My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou.
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”