Have you forgotten your first love
I don’t know about you, but when I see a verse from the book of Revelation, I get this feeling, I suppose it lies somewhere within the wonder of what’s to come and the fear associated with it. Because although we serve a loving, merciful God, lest we forget that He is also worthy of our fear and reverence.
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God.
In the book of Revelation, the resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ revealed himself through visions, to the apostle John, who had been imprisoned on the island of Patmos. Chapters 1-3 focuses on an assessment of the seven churches in Asia Minor and chapters 4-22 reveals a series of visions setting forth events related to the end times. But the specific verse we will focus on today is Revelation 2:4-5 which reads:
But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Here, Jesus is assessing the church of Ephesus and although He acknowledges they did many things “right” Jesus criticized them for abandoning their first love – their love for Him.
Your First Love
God makes it clear repeatedly throughout Scripture that nothing less than first is where He belongs in our lives. If God isn’t our first love, then what idol is? Idolatry is anything in our life that takes the place of God.
You might like “Identifying Idolatry in Your Life”
Why should God be our first love? Perhaps because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
So, when I read this verse in Revelation 2 “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first” it immediately took me aback and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Is God my first love?
Maybe today you wonder, how do I even begin to evaluate that? As I evaluate that for myself, here are the two main questions and answers I’ve come up with.
- How do I spend my time? Where my treasure is, there my heart will be also. <– Enough said
- How does my life reflect that God is first? I believe that when we actually put God first, His love then pours out into every aspect of our lives. <– Let’s talk about this some more.
Do I love my husband well and respect him as the head of our home or does my own pride, resentment and unforgiveness burden my marriage? Am I loving my children well, with patience and kindness, teaching them by example and raising them up in the way they should go according to the scriptures? Am I humble? Do I share the gospel with others? Do I take every opportunity to help someone in need? Am I cheerfully generous? How am I loving my neighbor? Do I spend time with the Lord, reading His Word, praying about everything, allowing His Spirit to sanctify me?
Have I truly taken up my cross and followed the example of Jesus in my life?
Jesus lived with purpose, with His eyes on the Father; He put God first.
I Never Knew You
Or is what I do out of vain repetition? Let’s look at Matthew 7:21-23 which says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Did you get that? Their spiritual life was non-existent, in fact their “spiritual works” were more like a religious duty.
In the end, there is one basis of salvation; it isn’t mere verbal confession, not “spiritual works,” but knowing Jesus and being known by Him. It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. (Excerpt from Enduring Word Commentary)
It boils down to a matter of the heart which is something we cannot hide or fake with the Lord; He knows our intentions.
So do you know God or do you know of God? There’s a major difference.
Bible Verses on Your First Love
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:8
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
