p. 12 | How to Regain the First Love by A. J. S. BOURDEAU.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 6, 1910

How to Regain the First Love

By A. J. S. BOURDEAU.

The Three Steps Necessary

(Third reading)

A Christian’s missionary activity is measured by the amount of the “first love” he has retained in his heart. In the second chapter of Revelation, we find God’s wonderful prescription, whereby we may, yea, must, regain the blessed heart experience known as the “first love.” Speaking to the remnant church, Jesus outlines briefly its history, trials, and fatal malady:—

“I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Rev. 2: 1-4.

Method of Regaining the First Love

In verse five the Master points out how lukewarm church-members may be restored to the exalted position they occupied at the time of their conversion. The three necessary steps are thus described:—

(At this point let the reader hang up a previously prepared outline of the “three steps,” or represent them by the use of books or other suitable objects at hand.)

First Step: “REMEMBER therefore from whence thou art fallen.”

Second Step: “REPENT.”

Third Step: “DO THE FIRST WORKS; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

How logical the order of these three steps! The reason so many Christians fail to regain their “first love” is because they fail to follow God’s explicit directions.

Many succeed in taking the first and second steps, but fail to take the third. In almost every prayer-meeting the burden of the testimonies borne shows that many indeed do “REMEMBER” whence they are fallen. Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit they realize their fallen condition. Still others “REPENT” publicly of their lukewarmness and cold-heartedness. Having taken these first two steps, however, many hesitate or lack the courage to “DO THE FIRST WORKS,” and thus take the third and final step, which will land them on

the elevated plane of the “first love.”

(At this point, let the leader call upon several members to relate briefly some of their “first works,”—their missionary efforts for friends and others at the time of their conversion. If properly handled, this will become one of the most interesting parts of the service. It will be difficult, in fact, to limit the speeches to the proper length.)

All Three Steps Necessary

Shall we not, as Christians, take all the steps necessary to regain our “first love,” in the order given? Let us resolve that, by God’s grace, we will no longer be content to take the first step, or the first two steps, and then slip back to the “fallen” plane, from which we have so earnestly prayed to be delivered.

It will take courage and faith in God to step out and actually do some of the “first works.” Did we then visit our unsaved relatives? Let us do so now. Did we write missionary letters to our friends, telling them of our new experience, and beseeching them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”? Let us write similar letters now. Were we then moved to confess Jesus in the public assembly? Let us do so again.

As we advance step by step in the performance of the simplest missionary duties, God will give us strength and wisdom to accomplish greater tasks for him.

A. J. S. BOURDEAU.