Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
Revelation was addressed to seven churches that existed in Asia Minor centuries ago. But I do believe there are lessons to be drawn from each of them, both for churches and for individuals. And this first letter, to the church at Ephesus, hits me the hardest.
Here is a church that seemed to be doing everything right. Jesus acknowledged their labor, their testing of false prophets, and their endurance. Yet he had one problem with them; they had abandoned the love for Christ that they had at an earlier time. It would appear that as time went on, they had focused more on the outward activities of being a church. And they had drifted away from their relationship with their head. Jesus’ warning to them was severe; you have abandoned your first love. If you don’t return to me, you will lose your place as a church.
How many churches today seem to be doing everything right? But they do it in a legalistic fashion rather than out of love. And how many individuals are the same way? They seem to be good examples of the Christian life. Yet they have lost their intimate relationship with Christ. I am sure Christ’s warning to Ephesus is just as applicable to us today. Return to your first love before it’s too late.
