"You Have Left Your First Love"

Dear Saints:

“You Have Left Your First Love”

My son lost his phone in the house. For more than a month now, we have searched everywhere in the house and still can’t find it. “Lost” and “left” are two different words. Left means you know exactly where you left something and can go back and find it.

As we continue our study of the book of Revelation (please read chapters 2 and 3), you will hear Jesus use “left” not “lost”. Many of us think Jesus said, “You have lost your first love”.

Let’s hear directly from Jesus as He speaks to the Ephesian church and to us:

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 

⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. ⁶ But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

⁷ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ Revelation 2:1-7.

So what’s the big deal between “left” and “lost”. If Jesus had said “lost” instead of “left”, the Ephesians would not have any hope and their continued relationship with Jesus would not be guaranteed.

So what is Jesus saying to this church that He has praised and said lots of good things about? The  accolades: hard work for Jesus sake, have patience, no nonsense and no room for evil and false prophets and not tired in working hard.

If it’s today, the Ephesian church’s head will swell and there will be great advertisements on TV  trumpeting these accolades from Jesus. This church would be the “happening Church” in town with four to five Sunday services.

Then comes, “You have left your first love”. Ouch! That hurts. Jesus is not thrilled but I would imagine grieved by this “Nevertheless I have this against you”.

You mean you can be so great a church and leave your love for Jesus? What exactly is it that the Ephesians left? Many have speculated many things. Is it the Ephesians’ emotional feelings for Jesus?

Let’s cut to the chase. After reading many commentators, I am persuaded to one significant meaning. The Ephesians, in the midst of all that was going on had left the focus and emphasis on the cross of Christ that secured their salvation and their relationship with Christ. No cross, no relationship. I thank God, they only left the cross and did not lose it. There is still hope and room to return.

The Ephesians had come to take the redemptive work of Christ for granted. There had been gradual neglect and drifting away from Christ of the cross. The Holy Spirit is no longer being listened to as confirmed in verse 7 – “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.  Apostle Paul would say to the Galatians:

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-8.

Are we believing and preaching everything else except the cross of Christ? You can fill up a church with lots of good stuff and program benefits. Are people encountering Christ or are they just going to church to improve their lives? Christianity and the Cross is not an improvement program but a death and resurrection to a brand new life in Christ.

If you don’t see yourself in the cross of Christ and Christ of the Cross, you are not really saved and unfortunately heading to hell. The cross is the only game changer. Your good works will not save you. Yes, we must do good works and Jesus commends them.

Jesus tells the Ephesians, remember, repent, return to where you left. Return to the cross and find your bearing. Then you can do what you did at first such as get so excited about the cross that you will tell everyone. Christ crucified is the only Gospel there’s. No other Gospel. Is that what you believe and preach? Does your local church believe and preach the cross and the Christ of the Cross?

You can get better investment, marriage and other relationship counseling from the world than from the church. You can get even better ideas of making money and building your kingdom here. Just listen to the world gurus.

The cross is the love of God. God, Christ is our first love. God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us on the cross (Romans 5:8).

Christ loved us first. We did not choose him. He chose us.  The Cross is equal to love. That’s why Jesus said take up your cross daily and follow me. You can’t follow Christ without focusing on the cross. Otherwise you will be focusing on yourself and what you can do to appease God’s wrath for sin. Apart from Me, that is the cross, you can do nothing.

Saints, let’s return to our first love – the Christ of the Cross. Lord, thank you that your love for me is forever. You cried, “It is finished” on the cross. You have paid completely and forever the penalty for our sins. Help us to relish on this truth and fall in love again with You and tell the whole world about you.  I repent of my neglect and drifting away from You and your cross. Amen.

Have you left your first love? Remember, Repent, and Return to Christ and His Cross. Tell someone else of the wonders of the Christ of the cross. Let's fall in love again with Christ in His word/in prayer, and less with social media. Our love for Jesus includes our love for one another and all people whom Jesus died for. Let's love God and people.

Please pray for my 90 year neighbor, Mr. JS. He is very sick in the hospital and need Christ desperately. His adult son believes there are many other ways to God and not just the Cross. The entire family need the their eyes opened to the truth of the Gospel.  Lord, please heal and save Mr. JS  and his family. Amen