Revelation 2:4, “Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first.”
The most tragic thing to lose in your walk with God is your “first love.” The first love we have for Jesus is priceless and incomparable to any kind of love in this world. A simple definition for love is defined as strong emotion, intimate care, self-sacrifice, and passion for someone. If you have never truly loved God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength- then you have never been saved or born again. In other words, it is impossible to come into a relationship with Jesus without loving Him with everything you have because “loving God” is the first and most important command, Mark 12:30.
The Bible clearly defines loving God in two specific ways. First, we love God by worshipping and adoring Him (John 4:24) and second, by obeying all of His commands, John 14:15. 1 John 2:4 boldly declares, “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” Therefore, our first and continuous love for God should always be in worshiping Him and following all His precepts.
At the same time, things in life- even God’s blessings, like our family roles and jobs can easily slip in and try to divert our worship and obedience. This is not to say that we cannot love both our families and God- but you can begin to lose your love and affection towards God and use your family or job as an excuse.
For example, imagine beginning to think being present at a family function or job is more important than your love and service to God- this would be making your family or job an idol. Therefore, no matter how much we love our family and want to be successful on our job we must never forget what Jesus said in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” God must always be the center of our families and jobs or we and our family/job will perish forever. It will always and forever be, about Jesus. Long after your life on this earth it still will be about Jesus.
How do we keep our first love and dedication to God all throughout our lives? Jesus told us in Revelation 2:5, “do the things you did at first.” As a result, if you have lost your first love- repent and do the things you used to do. And if you never want to lose your first love keep worshipping and obeying God’s commands- never stop.
Have you lost your first love? If so, pray this out loud, “Father, forgive me for allowing the things of this world to take away my passion for you and total obedience to your commands. Empower me to do the things I did at first and to never stop. Amen.”
Reflection
Do you still have your first love for Jesus?
Action
- Repent if you have lost your first love for Jesus.
- If you have lost your first love start worshipping God and obeying all that He commanded- no short cuts and no compromise.
- Live your life loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
