“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” — Revelation 2:4-5a
I read this verse recently, and it brought some deep conviction to my heart. The Lord sets the context of these verses when He speaks to some Believers in the final days. In this particular example, He praised them for their “hard work”, “patient endurance,” and “protection of the Truth.” But He complained that the Church had lost its first love — Jesus Himself.
This convicted me because I often find myself “working hard” for Jesus throughout the day. As the weeks and months go by, I can also say that I have “patiently endured suffering” as well. In my role as a pastor, I study hard to “defend” and present the Truth of Jesus Christ without compromise.
When I came across these verses, however, I had to ask myself some questions: “Do I love Jesus like I did when I first came to Him?” “Am I as passionate about Him as I used to be?” “Do I pursue Him like I did in my earlier days?”
I truly believe that I do love Jesus more now than ever before. Still, these verses sobered me. They reminded me that He needs to always be my first love. I for sure cannot replace my relationship with Him with “work FOR Him” or “study OF Him” or “suffering FOR Him.”
Jesus wants my heart. He wants me to know Him, respond to Him, enjoy Him, and also dwell upon His goodness. The Lord longs for our hearts to overflow with real, authentic love for Him. As well as have that love pour into affection for other people.
Jesus is more than “ministry.” He is more than a “concept or Truth.” Jesus Christ is our real Creator. Our loving Savior. Equally important, He’s our mighty God, and our everlasting fortress. Jesus is undeniably good in all that He does. Even today, He asks us to really KNOW Him.
This week, let’s remember who He is. Let’s fight to make Him our first love.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor