He was first!

   We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

   He first loved us! When was that, and how was our condition then?
   It was first of all, before you loved Him! The Scripture says it with the best words: «For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.» (Rom. 5:6).
   Then He loved us! He chosed to see us in Christ!
   Yes, but now I have been a Christian for many years, and then it is required something more of me as time goes by?
   Yes, that is the typical for us human beings, to begin to look at, and count on ourselves! That is our disease!
   But here too we have to let the Word of God answer, and not your heart, or great preachers, or religious movements, because if we do we can soon go astray, as we rather believe what is reasonable and sensible according to our natural sense. - And the Word of God says: «But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.» (Rom. 5:8-10).
   Straight against our natural thought, that it now will be attached more weight to our effort, the Word of God says, that it counts so much more what He has done and is for us!
   So much more you shall look to the way of God today - that you by His blood are justified and saved from the wrath, reconciled through the death of His Son, and saved by His life!
   As you see, nothing of this speaks about your deed, your effort, but solely about His.
   Shall you not be satisfied with that today, so you can thank and praise God for His endless grace! He was first! - He is the author of faith! -But He is also its perfecter! (Heb. 12:2).
   There will not be sung any others praise in heaven!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.