Thou hast left thy first love

Bible Reading: Revelation 2

Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Can you love right doctrine more than Jesus? Can you love the idea of church more than Jesus? Can you love service more than Jesus?

Apparently so, because that is the charge he brought against the Ephesian church. Don't get me wrong, right doctrine is essential. Paul had warned this church that savage wolves would come among them:

Acts 20:28-30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

They had listened and so Jesus said they had tried them which said they were apostles and found them liars.

How can a church with this kind of watching and discernment leave their first love? I suggest that it is a kind of legalism. It is a focus on doctrine that forgets the fact that all doctrine is just a great love, worship and understanding of our Lord. It becomes a religion and we forget that Jesus is to have all our devotion.

Beware and don't let this happen to you! It is happening in our day and I think many churches are so focused on teaching that they have forgotten where that teaching is to lead. If it is happening to you, here is the way back - remember from whence thou art fallen. Repent and do the first works. Remember those early days of your relationship with Jesus Christ and the love you had for him. Remember the focus on evangelism you had when you wanted everyone to experience the grace and forgiveness you had received. Remember those days when gathering with the church was a joy and you could not wait to worship and to be encouraged by your fellow believers. Go back to that! Keep good doctrine and allow that inspired Scripture to cause you to love the Lord more!

In Christ,
Rody