A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"First Love"

They were located in the middle of a thriving city. This port city was a commercial, political, and religious center for western Asia. It was the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple of the fertility goddess Diana. They were a strong, active church. They were noted for their hard work, perseverance, sound doctrine, ability to recognize false teachings and teachers, and endurance under severe hardship. It looks like this church was unaffected by its surroundings and was a model church. Yet, the Risen Lord, speaking through John the Revelator, told them that He had something against them. What He had against them was so serious that all the things to their credit were nullified. In His message to them we hear His grieving heart and His passionate plea. His word to them; you have forsaken your first love!
(2:4)

  Jesus did not give any explanation to what He meant by "first love." It is obvious that the Ephesian Christians understood. We, on the other hand, must rely on the text and the Holy Spirit for understanding. Our tendency is to relate first love with the first time we fell in love. We speak of the emotion, passion and consuming desire we had when we fell in love with that special person. But, is that what Jesus meant? The church at Ephesus did many things, which outwardly looked like an alive, vital Christian body of believers. Though their activity was not condemned, something was different with what they were doing now and what they did at first. Something crucial was missing - forsaken.

  The key here is that "first love" relates to relationship and priority.  The text reveals that they had fallen into the trap of doing, rather than being. They had forsaken the One for Whom the things were to be done. Somewhere along the line their hard work, doctrine, perseverance, and endurance took precedence over loving Jesus and being in relationship with Him. The doctrines and doings became the object of their devotion. They failed to remember that Jesus was to be the center of all that they were and did. Survival became more important than living in and for Jesus. He Who had been their motivation and priority was neglected in all their accomplishments. Talking with Jesus was replaced with talking about Him. Worship of Him was supplanted by the worship of worship. They had forsaken their first love - Jesus!

  Before we quickly point the accusing finger at the Ephesians we need to stop and examine ourselves. Forsaking our first love is a subtle fall, not a flying leap. We must do as Jesus instructed the Ephesians to do - remember, repent, and repeat. We are to remember Jesus, our First Love.  We are to repent of neglecting Him and be sure He is given first place in our life. We are to repeat the things we did at first - daily surrender to His Lordship, spend time with Him, and keep Him first in all things. Let us not be the ones who, after listing all the great things we have done in His Name, hear the words, "sorry I never knew you. Depart from me." (Matthew 7:23) Rather, let us be sure we do not forsake our first love so that on that day with surprise at all the things Jesus tells us we did, we hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the place I have prepared for you." (Matthew 25:34-40)

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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