Day 5: Return to Your First Love
Reading: Mark 10:17-22 -- The rich young ruler comes to Jesus asking about eternal life, Jesus loves him and calls him to surrender his possessions, and the man walks away sorrowful; Galatians 5:16 -- Walking in the Spirit produces freedom from the desires of the flesh
Devotional: The rich young ruler came running. He knelt before Jesus. He asked the right question. And Jesus looked at him and loved him. That detail is not incidental. Jesus did not confront this man out of harshness. He confronted him out of love because he could see exactly what stood between this man and a fully surrendered life. The man's possessions had become more important than his obedience. And when Jesus called him to surrender that thing, he could not do it. He walked away from the very life he had come seeking. The answer to misplaced affection is never less love. It is greater love. Love Jesus more than the thing that competes with him, and everything else will find its rightful place beneath his lordship.
Reflection: What would Jesus point to in your life today as the thing standing between you and wholehearted discipleship? Are you willing to surrender it?
Practical Application: Write out a prayer of surrender. Specifically name what you are placing back under the lordship of Jesus. Commit to one concrete change in your habits this week that reflects Jesus having first place in your life.
Reflection: What would Jesus point to in your life today as the thing standing between you and wholehearted discipleship? Are you willing to surrender it?
Practical Application: Write out a prayer of surrender. Specifically name what you are placing back under the lordship of Jesus. Commit to one concrete change in your habits this week that reflects Jesus having first place in your life.
Posted in Behind the Battle - Affection