“We love Him (God), because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 (NKJV)
Looking back: Memories
I came into a personal relationship with Jesus around the age of 7. I had seen the strong love for the Lord that my parents had, and I wanted “to love Jesus like my Mom did”. The “first love” of a child for the Lord is very sweet, innocent, and uncomplicated; something I have since witnessed in the lives of my own children and now grandchildren! I also was blessed by being raised in a home where love was demonstrated to each of us children, in many ways.
Loving, because we were first loved by others.
In a much larger scale, we learn in the Bible, that God first loved us! He is LOVE. It is His nature to love, and we were created to “worship Him, and enjoy Him forever.” We were created to have a relationship with Him, to experience His love through His Son, Jesus, and to be able to love others because of His love. Take a minute to reflect on the time you first received Christ, and felt the deep love for Him. Feelings of deep gratitude for His forgiveness, or more simply a response to “Jesus loves me, this I know…” , a song many children learn at an early age. Jesus delights in the faith of a child! And the angels in heaven rejoice over the repentance and salvation of any sinner. (Luke 15:10) Initially, when in this new relationship with Him, we want to tell others and have them to share in this joy. We are quick to obey what we learn in the Bible we should do, and we want to be with others who also have this love for Jesus!
Looking in: A Warm Fuzzy or a Warning ?!
“This I have against you, that you have left your first love..” (Rev. 2:4 NASB)
In Revelation 2 and 3, we read of the warnings that God gave 7 churches. The church in Ephesus had done many good things, but somehow lost their “first love” for the Lord. This shows the importance of the relationship God wants with us.
I’ve heard it said that often after awhile in a marriage, the “honey goes out of the moon”. The “in-loveness” initially felt, is gradually overshadowed by the day by day reality of each others’ idiosyncrasies or habits that may be annoying. Expectations may not be met, etc. etc. Inspite of a faithfulness, and “doing” the right things in the marriage, the spark can be missing. I am NOT saying that real love is just about the “feelings” we may have, because real love is MORE than just a feeling! It is action, and commitment, and all those aspects! So what is it that restores a “first love”?
Looking forward: Restoring a first love
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; and repent and do the deeds you did at first…”(Rev. 2:5a NASB)
I am not a theologian, but it seems that since the Lord acknowledged all the “deeds” that the church in Ephesus was doing (Rev. 2:2), it wasn’t the programs or activities that they had neglected to do, it was perhaps the motives/attitudes behind the actions that had changed. There is DEFINITELY an appropriate need to do the right thing even if “you don’t feel like it”, but when our first love for the Lord is gone, and the activity/program etc. is being done for some other reason, perhaps that is the root of the problem. At my church we regularly pray a “confession” that acknowledges that we do not always love God with all our heart, soul, and strength; or love our neighbor as ourselves. Those words can be recited rotely, or can be said with genuine conviction and repentance.
Think again of a time when you have truly had a “first love” for the Lord.
Any strong relationship involves the following:
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• Communication: (how is your prayer life with the Lord?)
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• Expressions of love and gratitude
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• Acknowledgement of repentance or sincere remorse when necessary
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• Time spent together, and eager anticipation of being with that person
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• Praying for an “unconditional love” for your spouse, or child, or whomever God has put in your life
A relationship with the LORD also needs:
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• Worship of our one true GOD, alone and with others
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• Time in His Word
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• Gratitude and thanksgiving for His goodness, His faithfulness, His love and forgiveness, His provision
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• Praise and adoration
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• Praying that Jesus will be your “first love”, and by His grace, through the power of His Holy Spirit, enable you to be faithful to the end!
Dear Lord, So much is talked about “love”, yet we can often confuse good deeds alone as being enough, and not fully understand what You mean by a “first love”. Help us to maintain, or return to a first love for You, and through that truly love others as You desire us to do. By Your grace and mercy, we pray! Amen!