Your First Love

David Ayres

2 days ago

2 min read

Read:

Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV) 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.

What it's speaking to me:

Ephesus did everything right...at least almost everything. Just before this rebuke, Jesus commends them for their works, their labour, their patience, and their refusal to tolerate evil. They tested false apostles and didn't faint. Sounds like a church worth modeling.

Yet Jesus says, "I have somewhat against thee." Not their doctrine, not their effort, but their heart. They kept the work going and lost the warmth behind it.

It seems that you can be busy for Jesus and at the same time, drift from Jesus.

I have watch this progression. The calendar fills, the needs are real, and the work is good. Slowly the work switches from being an overflow of love and becomes a substitute for it. You can serve, lead, and even worship from habit, while the One you're serving becomes more of a habit or a job than the Beloved.

Notice how Jesus responds, too. He doesn't say "work harder." He gives three steps:

1. Remember from whence thou art fallen. Go back to the beginning.

2. Repent. Turn around.

3. Do the first works. Return to what love looked like before it became duty.

The warning is serious: a lampstand can be removed. A church can keep its name, programs, and buildings and still lose the light. But the invitation underneath is so kind. He wants their love, not just their labor.

What is it saying to you?

What did your first love for Jesus look like? Think about how you prayed, how you read, how you talked about Him, and what you couldn't wait to do.
What "first works" do you need to return to? Which simple things did you do back then that you've traded for busyness?
Where has your service started to feel like duty instead of delight?

What are we going to do about it?

Consider one thing you did when you first fell in love with Jesus, and do it today. It might be reading with no agenda, praying out loud, singing in the car, or sitting in silence. Make it small and real.