Keep The Fire Burning

Karlie Flowers
Oct 31
6 min read

"Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved" Matthew 24:12

"For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:2-5

"But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love." Rev. 2:4

This week on a USG Academy call, I was asked, "How do you keep your fire for Jesus burning?" What a profound and excellent question to bring before the Lord!

In Matthew, 2 Timothy, and Revelation 2, the scripture points to first love: what's enthroned in our hearts, minds, and souls. The greatest commandment is this:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

When I turn inwardly, my heart grieves at the number of times I've missed the mark on this commandment. How often have I let fear, worries, offense, busyness, pride, or other earthly things take my attention away from loving Him first, and as a result, loving His people well? As I'm writing this blog, I'm inviting in the Holy Spirit to cleanse and search my heart; to renew a fire of first love even as I write and you read.

The good news is that Jesus' body was broken and shattered on the cross. His flesh torn and crucified, so that ours would be made whole. He's paid the punishment for our sin, and opened the door for repentance (turning from sin, and returning to God), and allowed us to take these grievances and lay them at His feet. He is the very essence of first love, and only He can redeem us from lovers of self to lovers of God.

I often find that the more I try to clinch my fists and ignite the flame of first love on my own, the more I leave empty-handed. 2 Timothy 3 starts by saying, "men will be lovers of themselves." Friends, we need to take this warning soberly and repent. I'm the first in line here to say, "I'm sorry, Lord" for putting my needs, my wants, my agenda, my feelings...me, me, me...On the throne. The reality is, Jesus doesn't share. He's all or nothing. He said in Matthew 16:24, " Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." This means the "self" is left on the altar, and the life we live is now HIS. Which implies we must undergo training, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to learn how to deny self and give ourselves away, in love, to Him and His people.

Here's the reality. A life living to please "self" is a life of bondage. Romans 8:6 says, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." When a person gives their life to Christ Jesus, confesses Him as Lord and Savior, and believes in Him as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within the believer. It's a divine exchange. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead alive in you. The Holy Spirit has found His resting place in you, upon you, and around you. He will help sanctify you and make you more like Jesus. Thankfully, He is working, even now, to transform your mind from inward thinking to outward praise.

The more we look at even our own shortcomings, the more defeated we become. We are able, by His Spirit, to instead fix our eyes on Jesus, on His perfection and His presence in our midst. The more we reflect on the Majesty of Jesus, the more self and earthly cares fade away. Even now, pray this: "Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus to me."

The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus. This happens through creation, the Word of God, prayer, visions and dreams, through community, etc. By learning to fellowship with Him, we learn to love Jesus. Any love we have has first been given. 1 John 4:10, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Here, God is clearly showing us a picture of love. Jesus. The humility of Christ is one that emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, even unto death on the cross. This is the example we follow. We turn away from our own self-seeking and we turn to seek Jesus. James 3:16 says, "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." The incredible news is that when we follow in Christ's example, turning from self and turning toward God, we actually find LIFE! John 17:3 says, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

So how do we keep the fire of first love burning?

Just as Jesus did, I'm going to answer my question with a question. Why do you love Jesus? Ponder that for a moment. Why did you give everything to Him at first?

Next, we must come in full neediness, brokenness, dependency, and honesty before the Lord and ask for forgiveness. God is not disappointed with you; He longs to give Himself away to you. Repentance unlocks the door for freedom and the fresh indwelling of His presence. After confessing and humbling your heart before the Lord, ask Him bluntly, "Lord, consume me with the fire of first love. I need it."

After asking, believe that He has heard you and that you will receive the requests of your heart as they align with His will (which is for you to know and love Him). Now fresh embers are set, and you wait. You ask the Holy Spirit to help you praise Him constantly. You ask for His presence to draw near to you. You receive in faith the blessing of His affection towards you.

Psalms 5:3-8 in The Passion Translation says, "At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart."

The blessed place of surrender is where His fire falls. Even the longing you have for more of Him comes from Him! When you give your life to Jesus daily, entrusting all into His care, you can believe that He will, day by day, fill you with love to overflow for Him and others. But, as you walk throughout your day, be aware. There are little foxes that will try to spoil the vineyard. (Song of Solomon 2:15) These are the, as Mark 4:19 states, "worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and desires for other things choke the word, making it unfruitful."

How we overcome these little foxes is through training, by the Holy Spirit, to discern good and evil and to choose moment by moment surrender to the ways of Christ. You will only know the ways of Christ by abiding in His Word and relying on His strength at work in you to complete what He has started.

Love isn't always a feeling. It's a way of being. God so LOVED the world that He sent His one and only Son. What did that Son do? He died for us. "No greater love than this, than to lay one's life down for a friend." (John 15:13) Now, laying your life down for a friend could mean honoring your spouse, forgiving a coworker, showing kindness to a stranger, or replacing offense with service...You see? It's the little moments where we learn to love sacrificially and, in doing so, love Him.

The fire of first love, the zealous love, is blazing in Christ's heart for you. Right now, I invite you to reach for it. Cling to it. Once I asked a woman from church, "How do I love Him more?" Her response to me was, "Well, tell Him you love Him...and don't stop." So, whether you feel the fire or not, speak: "Jesus, I love you."

Prayer: Jesus, we love you. Burn us again with the fire of first love and keep us burning. Kindle us daily. Thank you, Yeshua.