Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)

The Bible exhorts us to examine our walk with God. So how is your walk going? These questions will help you gauge where you’re at:

Have you been spending time with Jesus?
What are you doing during your time with Him?
Do you regularly talk with Jesus?
Have you been reading His Word?
Are you making changes when you learn you should or shouldn’t do something?
Are you serving others?
How’s your attitude?

The answers to these questions will help you determine if you’ve been walking by faith with God or mostly doing your own thing.

Yet, another important question will help you assess where you’re at spiritually: Are you doing those things out of love or duty? In other words, are you doing them because you want to or because you feel like you have to?

In a letter to the church of Ephesus, Jesus told them, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4 NKJV). Ouch! That must have been hard for them to hear. If you’re doing things for Jesus out of duty instead of love, Jesus might be saying that to you.

When you love someone, you want to spend time with them. You desire to do things for them. You enjoy the time you spend with them – not dread it.

If that’s you, Jesus gave the church of Ephesus a remedy. And it’s one that you can use too. He told them, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works . . . .” (Revelation 2:5a NKJV). So, if you’ve left your first love, Jesus: remember, repent, and repeat.

1. Remember

Think about how God saved you. Write down your testimony – all of the amazing things God did to bring you to Him. And then praise Him for it. Thank Him for everything He’s done for you.

2. Repent

Acknowledge that you’ve left Jesus – that you’ve been doing things your way and in your strength. Admit that you have been doing things out of a sense of duty instead of love. Ask God to forgive you. He has promised that “[i]f we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

3. Repeat

Do the first things you did when you were first saved.

Meditate on your favorite part of the Bible.
Thank God for His amazing creation.
Sing along with your favorite worship song.
Tell others how God is working in your life.

So, examine yourself to ensure you are walking by faith with God. And if you’re not – remember, repent, and repeat the first works as you return to walking by faith with your first love.

Photo by Ugne Vasyliute on Unsplash