Your First Love 10/23/2022

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write a few minutes ago. My heart was heavy and my thoughts were laden with prayer for those I know who are suffering today. My cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee seems fitting for my soul this morning

Revelation 2:2-4 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who you say are apostles and are not., and have found them liars, 3. and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name's sake and have not become weary. 4. Never the less, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

This message to the church at Ephesus is found in the book of Revelation. The first love mentioned here is the Ephesians joy, love and fervor in which they embraced their salvation. They were full of zeal for their relationship with God the Father found through Jesus Christ. They realized that they loved Jesus because He first loved them.  (1John 4:19.) Their love for Christ made them all alive in Him. They were very overwhelmed with the joy of that came from understanding their former state (dead in trespasses and sin) and their new life in Christ that it showed up in the fruit of their lives. They had a passion gratitude for what Jesus had done for them. 

Jesus commends the Ephesians for their many good works. But Jesus warns them that some had lost their passion and zeal for God.  Their love for Him was at risk of becoming the second pot on a cold stove. 

I see this all too often as I still walk this world. Many people receive the love and forgiveness of Jesus and are on fire for Him. But soon the honeymoon is over and they return to their old ways or are just going through the motions of being "churched" . They left their first and one and only true love and begin once again to prefer the what the world has to offer instead of being fired up with the joy of their life in Christ and the gift of His salvation. 

If this is you. Stop in your tracks and acknowledge your faltering and get back on the road which leads to peace, love and joy. Fire up that love for Jesus and never look back at the world.

Marty