FIRST LOVE (1 John 4.19)
Introduction What is love?

This is the important question that all of us ought to answer. If we analysis in the book of 1 John, the word love in its various forms is used 43 times in the letter. Meanwhile in 1 John 4.19 we can conclude that all love comes ultimately from God and it is a genuine love. It expresses the very nature of God (I John 4:8); it is the love that God the Father has toward His Son (John 17:26), and toward all human kind (John 3:16). It is also the love possessed by those of us who receive the Savior and demonstrate that love through knowing and obeying His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23). We need to have the same love as Jesus has shown towards us in the cross. So how we can show the first love towards Him?

1. Through our “Commitment”
When we trust ourselves to Christ, there is a true commitment just like in a healthy marriage. Jesus made an eternal commitment to us (Rom. 8:38-39). In response to His love we are called upon to pledge ourselves to him. We love Him because He first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19). Apostle Paul used the marriage relationship to illustrate our relationship with Christ (Eph. 5:22). "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (v. 25). Just like in the vows of a wedding we can express our faith to Christ who died for us, demonstrating His great love for us. We love Him because He first loved us. The LORD God made a great covenant when He sent His Son to go to the cross and die for our sins that He could save us by grace through faith in Christ (Matt. 26:26-29; Heb. 9:11-16, 23-28). “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13). We must commit ourselves to Jesus Christ and his teaching. This is the moment when He becomes "my Lord and my God" (John 20:28). It also involves sacrifice such as time, energy and money as well. Are we willing to leave all the luxury and comfort for the love of God? I remember the story of Sadhu Sundar Singh who leaves the comfortable life as a Brahmin to take up the cross for Christ. His sacrifices eventually bring peace of mind for him and the love that he has shown is incomparable. Have you made that commitment to Him? Have you asked Him to be your Savior? Have you believed on Him? Have you made a commitment of yourself to Him? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

2. Through our “Service for Christ”
God has graciously given each Christian gift for ministry. A ministry is to equip and prepare all God's people for service. As Christians use their diverse gifts in ministry together, they grow in maturity and Christ-likeness. Another way of showing our love towards God is through service for him. It involves sacrifice, time, energy and money. As mentioned in Jeremiah 1.5, all have been called and set apart for ministry. Thus it becomes another example of us showing the love towards Christ. It can be done in the church setting as a beginning. What is the purpose of the ministry in? In Ephesians 4:11-15, Paul lists four basic purposes for the ministry. Ministry is in the concept of simply preparing God's people to serve, whether it's to serve the work or to serve the church, or to serve the overall needs that we have within the body. Whenever we are serving, we need to serve with love and lovingly. This is the number one purpose that we have. The second purpose for the ministry is for the edifying, or the building up of the body of Christ. It involves commitment and going out to the people. The third function of the ministry is to bring a sense of stability and unity in both faith and knowledge. Number four — we said the ultimate purpose of the ministry is summarized in verses 13-15 as leading the church to a spiritual maturity which is defined as being more Christ-like. The primary responsibilities of the ministry within the church are to lead by love. Some people see the ministry as a position of honor and want the position for the wrong reasons. There are several examples of ministers who really rendered their services for Christ with love such as Florence Nightingale, Mother Theresa and so on.

3. Through Faith in Him
In Matthew 17. 41-21 it is mentioned that through faith, all is possible. Faith is the essence of the Christian walk and unless we learn how to apply it in our daily lives we will not grow in it as God desires. In Hebrews 11:6 it is mentioned that “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. Our day to day lives are to consist of a walk in faith. In order to grow from faith to faith our faith must be exercised on a regular basis. We need to look at the many things we are involved in each day and the problems we come up against as opportunities to exercise our faith. What kind of a faith do you have for your life, family, marriage, job or your business? Do you know what God's will is for you in all of these areas? If so, then you can begin to apply faith. God's will is for you to prosper in all of these areas. Faith always relates to something in the future. The word "hope" points to the future. We must see tomorrow in light of God's abilities, not our own. Faith will prepare us for the adventure instead of fear, because of our assurance that God can handle all things. As Christians, we are now a people of faith, which means God wants us to move in realms of faith rather than unbelief. Our belief system has to be firmly established in what we believe God wants for our lives. We must see our lives as He sees them. In 1 Corinthians 13:2 it mentioned that “and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing”. When you think of love, what comes to your mind? The marks of love are found here in 1 Corinthians 13. These are the characteristics that release the faith in our lives so that we are able to receive what God has for us. Some of the things mentioned here are as follows: These are the qualities that faith must pass through if it is to be released effectively in our lives. Remember faith and love is inseparable. Practicing love from day to day in all of these areas keeps you in a place where your faith is being released in a positive way from day to day. Conclusion The love which our Lord requires from all his followers is the first love - for his own. Now, we are not only to love God, but also to delight in him, to rejoice in his will, to desire continually to please him, to seek and find our happiness in him, and to thirst day and night. As to the measure of this love, our Lord hath clearly told us, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." Not that we are to love or delight in none but him. If we have the commitment, faith and render our service to him than we have proved to him that we have the first love.