The Love You Had at First

The Love You Had at First by George Young

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:1-7
“You have forsaken the love you had at first. . . . Repent and do the things you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5

When believers endure hardship for Christ’s name, they can be a powerful force to reckon with. But it’s possible to lose the fervor of the love we had for the Lord at first. If that happens, the church becomes almost unnoticeable in the world.

Let’s not ignore criticism from people who may say the church is just a social club. Rather, may their accusation call for some soul-searching so we can become all the Lord desires us to be.

Today’s Bible passage describes part of a vision the apostle John received from Jesus, who told him to write these words to the church in Ephesus. That church had been started by Paul some 50 years earlier. They had been persecuted and had not caved in, and they had matured enough to resist false teachings.

But over the years, the church at Ephesus had lost the initial fervor of its love for Jesus. That was the height from which they had fallen. They needed to return to the love they had had for the Lord at first.

All other commands flow from “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” And this leads to the next great command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (See Mark 12:28-34.)

Remember how Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them (Mark 6:34-44). Remember how He addressed every person He encountered at the point of his need.

Let us prayerfully assess our attitudes and responses toward the needs of people we encounter so we may determine whether we are truly the hands and heart of Christ toward our fellow sojourners on this planet.

Save us, O Lord, from losing the love we had for you when we were first struck by your amazing grace. Let your love so burn in our hearts that it compels us to bear your love to everyone whose life touches ours. Let your love warm all our relationships. Let our love reflect your love to all the earth. Amen.