My fellow believers in Christ, I feel impressed to share with you this important lesson. Since you met Jesus Christ, is He (Jesus) still in your life?  What is the relationship you have with your Saviour? Do you still have the same strength that you had when you first met Jesus? Or have you already lost Jesus because of some indulgence in sin? Remember that every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Let each of us examine ourselves to see if we are still with Christ. Examine whether you are still in the faith that you have professed since you met Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

HAVE YOU LOST JESUS?

Where is Jesus? When we attend holy gatherings like camp meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences, some people go with Jesus but after when they are leaving the place, they leave without Jesus; while other people go without Jesus but they return home with Jesus in their lives. For people who have lost Jesus in the gatherings, they will search for Him but it may take many days to find Him. Sadly, Jesus could be lost forever to some. The individual has a choice to either maintain Jesus in their company or Jesus may be lost to them forever.

“Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.  But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.  And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” Luke 2:41–45

About this event, in the Spirit of Prophecy we read, “In returning to their home, after they had gone a day’s journey, their anxiety was aroused, as they missed Jesus. He had not been seen of them since they left Jerusalem. They supposed he was with the company. Inquiry and search were made among their acquaintance and relatives for their much-loved son; but no trace could be found of Him. They hastened back to Jerusalem, their hearts heavy with sorrow. For one day of neglect they had lost their Son, Jesus, from their company, which cost them three days of anxious search, with sorrowful hearts, before they found Him.

“This should be a lesson to those who are following Christ. If they neglect watchfulness and prayer, and become careless, they may, in one day lose Christ; but it may take many days of anxious, sorrowful search to find Him again, and to enjoy the peace of mind and consolation of His grace that they lost through vain talking, jesting, joking, and evil speaking, or even neglect of prayer.” –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 31

Christ warned His disciples to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation.

From the above statement Ellen white continued, “Here is a lesson of instruction to all the followers of Christ. He designed that none of these lessons should be lost, but be written for the benefit of future generations. There is necessity of carefulness of words and actions when Christians are associated together, lest Jesus be forgotten of them, and they pass along careless of the fact that Jesus is not among them. When they are aroused to their condition, they discover that they have journeyed without the presence of Him who could give peace and joy to their hearts, and days are occupied in returning and searching for Him whom they should have retained with them every moment. Jesus will not be found in the company of those who are careless of His presence, and who engage in conversation having no reference to their Redeemer, in whom they profess their hopes of eternal life is centered. Jesus shuns the company of such, so also do the angels who do His commands. . . . The divine rays of light emanating from Jesus are not with them, cheering them with their loving, elevating influence. They are enshrouded in gloom, because their careless, irreverent spirit has separated Jesus from their company and driven the ministering angels from them.” –Ibid., p. 37

REMEMBER HOW YOU HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS

Brethren, remember how you have fallen and do the first works. Jesus, through John the revelator, said, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4–5

Ellen White continued, “Love for Christ need not flag. ‘Nevertheless I have some what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.’ Thine is a decay, a declension in holy zeal—not forsaken is the object of it, but lost is the fervor. The first affection of the convert to Christ is deep, full, and ardent. It is not necessary that this love should become less as knowledge increases, as the more and increased lights shines upon him. This love should become more fervent as he becomes better acquainted with his Lord. . . . It is our work to know our special failings and sins, which cause darkness and spiritual feebleness, and quenched our first love.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 956–957

“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

“Many who attend meetings of devotion, and have been instructed by the servants of God, and been greatly refreshed and blessed in seeking Jesus, have returned to their homes no better than they left them, because they did not feel the importance of praying and watching thereunto, as they returned to their homes. They frequently feel inclined to complain of others because they realize their loss. Some murmur against God, and do not reproach themselves as being the cause of their own darkness and suffering of mind.” –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 38

Finally brethren, do you have Jesus with you? Do you talk of Jesus? We are to talk of Jesus in our congregation, in our company, and at home.  You must talk of Jesus everywhere you go lest Jesus be forgotten of you. Paul says, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” Colossians 1:23

May God bless us and help us to humble ourselves before Him. Amen.

Jenifer Akello

Uganda