Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
We had a YWAM team here this week to minister to the children. The delight they had in their eyes, the radical love for the children, and their extreme love for Jesus impressed me. I used to have it to the same degree, but over time it’s not as intense. Worries about ministry, my own children, Winnie, finances, health and unanswered prayer have really taken their toll. Have I left my first love? I beg to God that it’s not so.
Up until Revelation 2:4 Jesus was praising the church of Ephesus, for their hard work, loyalty, patience and perseverance. The church of Ephesus was pastored by John, the disciple that Jesus loved. The ‘apostle of love’ they called him. Mary, Jesus’s mom was congregating there too. But John was no longer there. He was exiled to the island of Patmos where he was to spend the rest of his life. John, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote Revelation. This must have broken his heart.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus rebukes the church in Ephesus. Despite their hard work, correct theology, and endurance, He states they have “left their first love”. From Passion to Habit: It means the awe, wonder, and deep affection that characterized your early faith has faded. Duty vs. Desire: You have started doing the “right things” out of obligation or fear, rather than being motivated by a passionate love for God.
The Remedy: The scripture calls for three decisions:
YES, IT’S A DECISION!
1. Decide to remember where you once were, repent, and return to the gratitude for the grace and mercy that God has for you. Think back to the excitement and joy you felt when you first encountered God’s saving grace. Reflect on what God has rescued you from and the peace He initially brought into your life.
2. Decide to renew that Romantic Spark you had with Jesus at the beginning: Stop putting the ministry before the master. Spend more time in His Word, praying and worshipping God. Cut out anything else. Focus on Jesus and where you would be without Him, and thank Him.
3. Decide to evangelize even more than ever, even more than you did when you first got saved. Return to the foundational habits you practiced at the beginning of your faith. Fellowship more.
Your “Why” of getting saved is easy to drift away from. Just like career. You may have started a career (like teaching, medicine, or art) because you loved it, but over time, burnout and stress turned it into a repetitive grind. And you didn’t love it much anymore. In my case, even ministry and missions is similar. It’s not a career, but it’s a life style. When you love what you do (I love ministering), and love the people you serve (my wife, my kids, Million Friends kids, Nicaraguan people, Million Friends people internationally etc) you have to be very careful to keep loving Jesus more than everything and everyone else.
First step in falling back in love with Jesus is telling Jesus you love Him, and acknowledging His love for you. Second step, loving others. Not just helping them and serving them, but loving them.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Please don’t stop loving Jesus. He is everything. This verse in the Bible serves as a warning
1 Cor 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, Let him be Accursed! Maranatha!