My First Love
I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:3-5 ESV
Back in my junior high school days, the great Christian band of past – PETRA – had a song called First Love. I probably didn’t understand the lyrics so much then as I have come to understand them now. But I was reminded of them this past week as I worked through a study of Revelation with my daughter. She is working on one of Kay Arthur’s Discover 4 Yourselves for kids on prophecy and we studied how the church of Ephesus had lost its first love.
I began to ponder just how that relates to us today. How many of us have really abandoned the love we had at first? Sure we serve. Sure we share. Sure we study. But what about just totally loving the Lord the way we did when we first became aware of our need to be saved by the loving Savior?
I have noticed that I am not a “showy” person when it comes to worship at church. I probably am not the best at sharing the gospel with those who need to hear it. When I look at those shortcomings I perhaps can attribute them to in a sense having lost that zeal and excitement and unashamed proclamation for my first love. Sure I serve. Sure I share. And ohhhhh how I love to study! However it has been a while since I worshipped openly without caring who was around or shared the gospel message with someone who needs to hear it.
Jesus is my first true love. I needed to be reminded of that very truth and God so graciously used a children’s Bible Study book to show me. I think of the atoning work Jesus did for me on the cross and how he paid the penalty of all of my sin so that I can be seen as a righteous person before God. What amazing love that the Savior of the World has for me. How he deserves my everything. How he deserves our everything.
I am so saddened at some of the ways our precious Lord is portrayed in Christianity today. There are books and philosophies that strip Him of His holiness. There is much deception in churches and an incredible lack of discernment among believers. As Paul warned, they have accepted another Jesus. Understand this, no book – no teacher – no philosophy can EVER take the place of the Bible. If you want a perfect and unfiltered example of exactly who Jesus Christ is and what he did for us, you need to look no further than God’s Word. There is no book that can make you fall in love with the Savior all over again. Sola Scriptura – only in Scripture alone – can we learn how God reveals himself for salvation through faith alone in Christ.
If you think you are like the Church in Ephesus – having lost your first love – today is the perfect day to return to your first love. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) says,
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus being our first love means He is first in everything. We will pray fervently our allegiance to His Kingdom and pray for His kingdom work to be done. We will earnestly seek His truths found in Scripture and reject any other portrayal of Christ that does not line up with the Word of God. 1 John 4:19 says that, “we love because He first loved us.” Being a chosen one of God bears incredible promises and a certain inheritance. Now we need to be obedient to His word and keep our First Love as First Place in our lives.
If I ever lack endurance
I remember Your assurance
That Your only banner over me is love
If my heart begins to waiver
Woo me back, my loving Savior
Woo me back till I return to my First Love – Words by Bob Hartman
Dear Glorious Lord, the first love of my life, who loved me before the foundation of the world, who had a plan of redemption and sent a Savior to die for my sins. How I long to praise you! Forgive me, Father, for becoming complacent – for abandoning my first love. Help me to stay stand firm in your grace and if I start to move away, woo me back to a place where I always remember You – my first love. In Jesus name, Amen.
In Christ Alone, Renee
Amen to that, Renee. Yes, there is much out there that is taking away the divinity of our Lord. The Gospel message is simple — some like to complicated it. May be all return to our first love.
Thanks! You have no idea how well that fit into my thoughts this morning! Hugs,
Renee – GREAT word!! It is funny how God will use our children or something very basic to drive home very profound points! I appreciate you my friend! HUGS