By Roger Carswell

I have the highest regard for my doctor, whom I have to visit far too frequently. However, I am sure my blood pressure rises every time she simply tells me she is just going to check it, or something else that I can’t see or feel. Similarly, from time to time, it is good to take stock and have a spiritual check up, examining ourselves, our spiritual life and our service of Him. Reassessment of all relationships is a valuable exercise. Spiritual check ups concerning our walk with God are absolutely essential if our relationship with Him is to be close and our work of eternal significance. They guard us against the danger of drifting.

When the Lord assessed the church in Ephesus He concluded, “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” They were guilty of leaving, not accidentally losing, their first love. According to Revelation 2 vv. 2, 3 & 6, the Church there was sacrificial, serving, steadfast and separated, but intimacy between God and them had gone. The words spoken were to an orthodox, evangelical church, which was in danger of becoming a carpet warehouse or worse! The church was told first to remember, and then to repent, and this command was repeated (v.5).

Because we know that a Christian who sins is still a Christian, we can be tempted to play fast and loose with God’s grace. Though God keeps His people, there is always a danger of losing our first love, however mature in age or spirituality. In fact, the more we grow in grace as Christians, the more we should be wary of losing our first love. The fellowship of the Church is vital in helping us keep on track, and without being interfering busy-bodies, let us be supportive of one another in our walk with God. Have you noticed what these lines from the hymn “Tell me the old, old story…” actually say?:

Tell me the same old story

When you have cause to fear

That this world’s empty glory

Is costing me too dear.

No light matter

This is not an inconsequential issue. Bible words used to describe backsliding like this are those used elsewhere to condemn the most awful immorality. Francis Schaeffer said: “Apostasy must be called what it is – spiritual adultery.” There is nothing glib about side-stepping, resisting, neglecting or dethroning the Lord. If we are guilty we are not so much in need of sympathy, but whatever it takes to bring us back to submission and fellowship with God.

There have been people who have disappointed the people of God. They once ran well, but something hindered them. However, rather than write about them, we need to ask ourselves how is our walk with God. We need to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away (Hebrews 2 v. 1). Robert Murray McCheyne said that what a person is before God, is what he is and no more.

So, with a spiritual stethoscope in hand, let us individually consider ourselves, and pay attention to the warning signs. Here are some symptoms of which to be wary:

I have left my first love when:

•   I thrill about someone or something more than the Lord (Luke 10 v. 27).
•   I am not longing for fellowship with God through His Word, and in prayer (Matt. 5 v. 6).
•   I supplant the Word of God by my human wisdom (Gal 1 v. 8 & 9).
•   I do not focus on the Lord in my private thoughts (Psalm 10 v. 4).
•   I excuse myself for giving in to the things which displease the Lord (John 14 v. 15).
•   I do not cheerfully give my time, money and energy to the Lord (1 John 3 v. 17).
•   I fail to treat other Christians as I would the Lord (Matt 25 v. 40, John 13 v. 34, Rom 14 v. 15).
•   I am seeking the approval of the world, rather than my actions being dictated by a desire to please the Lord (1 John 2 v. 15).
•   I scheme to accomplish “the purposes of God”, forgetting that faith is living without scheming (John 15 v. 10).
•   I balk at the commands of Christ, seeing them as restrictions rather than expressions of God’s love (John 14 v. 21).
•   I fail to share the gospel with boldness and compassion (Matt. 28 v. 18 & 19).
•   I am unmoved by the wickedness and lostness of the world around me (Matt. 24 v. 12).
•   I refuse to forgive those who have hurt me (1 John 4 v. 20).

Of course, the list could go on, but I have no desire to discourage you, or myself! Christian living involves death to self, and is characterised by hungering after righteousness, and thirsting for the One who is altogether righteous. The purpose of self-examination is not to send us on a guilt trip, but to drive us freshly to the Lord, who alone can forgive our sin and satisfy the soul.

“The Christian life is a series of new beginnings” said Alexander Whyte, so where necessary, let us obey the Lord, acknowledge our waywardness, repent of it and return to the Lord. The way back to the Lord, is the way we came in the first place. We bow before the Christ of the cross, and ask Him to wash us afresh, and fill us again with His Holy Spirit. What exceedingly great and precious promises God gives to those who humbly come back to Him. (See Jer 3 v 14 – 22, Joel 2 v. 25 and 2 Chron. 7 v. 13 – 14).

“Come, let us return to the Lord”.