First Love

There is a strong warning in the Word of God about their first love to the church of Ephesus.  Read what it says about this church, which is very positive in Revelations 2:1-3, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.’”

If you were to only to read this far you would think that this body of believers had it all together, but as you read on you find a much different outcome.  From the outward appearance thus far, you would think that the Lord would be very happy with these believers.  To be honest I think that a lot of believers feel the same way about the communities (churches) that they belong to today.  The problem is that many of us only see the outward appearance and the Lord sees the inward workings and the heart of those in these communities.  Many may have very little discernment when it comes to spiritual matters because they have a very limited understanding of the Word of God.  God’s Word says my people perish for lack of knowledge.  

It sounds to me that these Ephesian believers may have had a problem with pride.  Because of what they endured and the example that they were, they could have easily fell into pride and arrogance depending on themselves and their own righteousness and forsaking their Lord, not even realizing it in some cases.  It is easy to look at our own accomplishments and fall into the same snare or trap that these believers may have; I say this because of my own personal experience in these areas.

Now let’s read on and see what else the Lord had to say to this body of believers, please read verses 4-5, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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.”

The first thing that the Lord said to them is I have this against you, you have forsaken your first love; remember then from where you have fallen.  Repent and do the same deeds that you did at first.  It sounds to me like they had also became complacent.  It’s easy to get caught up in complacency when things seem to be going so well; studying and reading your Bible less, spending less time with the Lord, not praying as much, not meditating on the Word as often as you once did. These are some of the things that show that you are becoming complacent.  

Now I want you to know that I am not trying to lay a guilt trip on anyone just trying to bring awareness to anyone that may be in this situation and may not even be aware of it, and to those that are aware of it and have fallen into this predicament.  You may look at the word repent as a negative, but it is not so; it is very positive and was said because the Lord loved them, and us, very much.  Remember the Lord corrects those he loves that are His and if you are never corrected you are not His.  It is far better to be corrected than separated from the Lord because of your sin.

It says this in Isaiah 59:1-2, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

Now let’s get back to the Lord’s correction, you can find this in Hebrews 12:4-8, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”

If you find that this Tidbit is speaking of you, you know what you need to do.  I was guilty of this myself and I needed to repent also.  And don’t forget repentance is an action word.  It means to turn from your sins and go in the opposite direction, being sorry for the sin or sins you have committed and not just sweeping it under the rug, so to speak.  It is a conscious decision to forsake the sin and confess it to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and to restore you back to the fellowship you had together before you committed the sin. I think you got the message, so enough said.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super day!!  Don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is so worthy!!