First Love
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus writes, ‘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 and 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 names’ sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.'” (Revelation 2:1-4)
The Dangers of Religious Routine
The church of Ephesus was praised for their hard work, patience, and perseverance. However, their devotion had become routine and traditional, flowing out of rules and what it was supposed to “look like” to be the church. This mirrors our own tendency to let our spiritual lives become mechanical, driven by duty rather than passion.
Rediscovering Our First Love
Much like in marriage, God desires us to maintain a honeymoon mindset with Him at all times. Remember when you first came to know His love? Or that time when you were passionate about Him and ONLY HIM – not the work He has given you to do, or even His people, but JUST HIM? To become more passionate about your work or ministry than about God Himself is to become religious in your work.
The word “First” in Greek includes the idea of rank. Who is your #1 love? Who holds the highest rank in your heart, mind, time, schedule, and finances? Examine your social media feeds and the nature of your content. What does it reveal about your priorities?
The Source of Our Spiritual Vitality
Our spiritual vitality, vigor, unction, and passion should spring from our love for the Lord – more accurately, from the love we RECEIVE FROM GOD. Hosea 2:14 says, “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, I will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be in that day, says the Lord, that you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master.’”
God is intentional in alluring us into intimacy, just as in the days of our youth.
Challenge Question:
Have you left your first love? What steps can you take to return to that passionate relationship with God where He is your #1 priority? How can you allow His love to be the source of your spiritual vitality and passion?
To learn more on this topic, check out this YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaMLikcR9YvaXl2cXMCKReRkp7A7Rwnxw&si=ayUCSCV99TEKizo1
Read: To Love and To Be Loved: https://lisa-schwarz.com/to-love-and-to-be-loved-book/
