Our First Love by C. H. Bates

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1907

Our First Love

By C. H. Bates

C. H. BATES

“I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

NEVER in our experience as Christians should there come a time when we can not say that we are living nearer the Lord, and our hopes are brighter, than when we were first converted.

The Christian life is one of progress in the divine life. While the Christian will not boast of the progress made, he will be able to look back on his past experience and see when victory after victory has been gained, every one of which has left him stronger to meet the enemy of all righteousness.

Whenever I hear that any one has left the truths of God's Word, it brings a sadness over me which is hard to describe. In 2 Tim. 4:10 we have the following: “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” The record of Demas is a sad one. He was at one time associated with the apostles in carrying the gospel to every part of the then known world; but for some reason this servant of God laid down the armor, and we are not left in darkness and doubt as to the reason.

Does the love of this present world have anything to do with your present spiritual condition? Do you long for this present world more than for the world to come? Remember, you are not the first to be found in this condition. We have the experience of Demas and many others before us.

Timothy, in writing to his fellow workers, leaves this encouraging testimony: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” When you first gave your heart to the Lord, did you commit the keeping of the same to him? If you answer, Yes, then I would ask, Is he keeping it better than you could keep it? And are not your experiences in the things of God richer and brighter than they once were? Remember that we do the committing, God does the keeping. Is God able to keep us? The scripture just quoted abundantly proves that he is; but you might reason thus: He says he is, but what evidence have we that he is able to do it? When we receive a promise from a man, that he will pay us a certain sum of money or perform a certain obligation at a certain time, we at once begin to question his ability or his financial standing, or may look up his rating, to see if he is able even though he desires to do as he has promised. But when I consider all these things, I am reminded of the words of David when he said: “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. . . . Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

Do you realize, fellow Christian, that the One who has promised to keep you is the maker of the heaven and the earth? Do you think there is power, then, sufficient to keep you from falling, and not only to keep you from falling, but at last to present you faultless before his throne? Remember, the one who has promised to keep us does not sleep and forget his trusting saints here upon this earth. “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Then let no trusting soul become discouraged. We have every reason for rejoicing. The promises of God are abundant, and if we let them, they will lift us above the trials and difficulties of this life, and will finally give us a home such as described by the apostle when he said: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Durango, Colo.