Leaving the first love

 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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. – Revelation 2.4-6

 

The words are very clear. Ephesus was not perfect. She had a major issue. She had left her first love.

 

She had left her first love.

 

How do we lose that fervency of that love we had for God and others when we first got saved. What happens? Its clearly a big deal because Jesus wants them of their need to repent and return to the first love.

 

I think this is something that we need to be aware of when we are plugging away and persevering. It is sadly possible to stick with it just because we are expected to do it and not out of love.

 

Service not motivated by love too easily becomes drudgery. That is a danger in any situation or relationship. Love is not something that just happens.

 

That’s true in human relationships, but it also true in our love for Him. His loves never dims. He never changes. So when things change it is our fault. When our love fades it is our failure.

 

Sadly, it happens. 

 

But that’s not where it ends. We have to choice by God’s grace and with His help to turn make and refresh that love in our hearts. If we don’t we risk that God might chose to lay us to the side and do the work without us.