How to Recover Your First Love (Rev. 2: 4 & 5)

4. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, repent, and do the works you did at first, if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul concludes with a benediction; “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible” (Eph. 6:24). Around 30 years later, John was called to write to the same church again. They were active in work, steadfast in truth, and patient in trial. But their love was declining. Into this situation Jesus speaks three exhortations for that church – and for all who have lost their first love.

· Restoration begins with remembering (or considering). Meditating on what our relationship with Christ was like when we were first saved. Recalling how we used to witness for Him. Reflecting on what it was like to trust Him with both the simplest and the greatest of our needs.

· Repentance means to change one’s mind and reverse course. If we have left our first love, we must turn and head back toward Him. This is a choice and an act of the will!!!

· Repeating means to practice again the faithful steps of discipleship that we took as new believers. Feelings follow actions, not vice versa. Where the will goes, the heart follows. We can trust that our obedience to “do the works (we) did at first” will be followed by a return to our first love.

Did the Christians in Ephesus consider what they had lost and recover that first love? The history of Ephesus holds a solemn lesson for churches today. At its prime, the harbor at Ephesus could accommodate the finest seagoing vessels, and highways radiated from it to all the cities of Asia Minor and beyond. Now the city is in ruins, and it has no church. The great, golden lampstand has been removed.

From the Dr. David Jeremiah study bible.