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This is a most interesting question and one that
virtually every firstfruit has asked or considered. I believe we
can answer this question by looking at the definitions of a couple of
words:
Excitement:
1] The condition of being excited.
2] Intensity of feeling or reaction.
3] Enthusiasm
4] Incitement
5] The feeling of lively and cheerful joy
Passion:
1] A powerful emotion such as love or joy.
2] Boundless enthusiasm.
3] Fervor, fire, zeal, ardor.
Zeal is strong, enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and
tireless diligence in its furtherance: "
Herein is the answer. To have that initial first love back and/or
to maintain it, we have to have a strong, enthusiastic devotion to a
cause or goal and diligence in its furtherance. I have been
preaching for years of the importance of fervency, diligence and zeal in
our spiritual lives. One cannot have fervency, diligence or zeal
about the Salvation Process and their Godly Calling without something
called "focus." Let us look at the definition of the word,
"focus."
Focus:
1] A center of interest or activity.
2] Close or narrow attention or concentration.
3] A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or
perceived.
4] To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear,
distinct image.
Therefore, firstfruits have to make the Salvation Process the center of
their interest and activity. They must concentrate on their
calling. They must constantly be adjusting their vision so as to
render their call to Salvation in distinct and clear image.
How to Focus:
1] Have a desire to obey God.
2] Pray for focus, as well as fervency, diligence and zeal.
3] Immerse yourself into the Word of God. Since the Word of God is
our object of focus, immersing ourselves into it will result in
excitement, joy and passion.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the
diligent shall be made fat.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour
is not in vain in the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
he shall not stand before mean men.
Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be
under tribute.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou
goest.
2 Peter 1:5-7
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
charity.
Psalm 77:6
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own
heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
Notice here in Hebrews 11:6 the direct linkage between faith, which is
absolutely required for salvation and diligence. We must
diligently seek Him. This is done with prayer, study, meditation,
fasting and immersion in His Word. That first love will manifest
itself to the same degree you apply diligence and immersion into the
Word of God.
Job 22:26
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up
thy face unto God.
Job 27:10
Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of
thine heart.
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalm 119:174
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
How could any firstfruit read and strive after these six verses and not
have first love?
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