FRIDAY September 29, 2023
Have You Left Your First Love?
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil ... and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 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.”
Revelation 2:2-5
Did you know that in Ephesus, when the church was first established to the time when Revelation 2:1-7, was written, was around forty years? What was the message to the pastor of the church of Ephesus? Repent! Why? Within thirty years, they were no longer in love with Jesus Christ. They had many works, but they had left their first love.
When something else in your life becomes more important than Christ, you will start to lose your love for the Word of God. I have noticed that some men and women come to church without the Bible. That is the sword of the Spirit––the road map of life that leads you and guides you into all truth! When people lose sight of God, they put their eyes on their material things. Their possessions possess them, instead of God possessing them. Too many men and women fall by the wayside. Some just live hypocritical lives with one foot in the church and one in the world. There is no fear of God or holiness!
When living in a time of great prosperity, people seem to give God space; they stop diligently seeking Him. But what happens when the economy crashes, and people lose their jobs and possessions? Believe me, the church becomes jam-packed to the gills with people who are desperately seeking the Lord. It happens over and over again.
A Christian needs to seek Christ and be in the depths of His Word, listening for Him to speak to them. If you desire to rekindle your first love with the Lord, you must renew your communion and fellowship with Him.
“Is it not a sad thing that after all Christ’s love to us, we should repay it with lukewarm love to Him?”
~Charles H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
