First love. Nothing compares to it.

Why?

Psychology Today notes that “first love is characterized by…emotional connection, reciprocal
involvement, orientation to the future, and desire for a pervasive presence of the loved one.”
Yet in Revelation 2:5 (NASB), we read these sobering verses, “But I have this against you, that
you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent,
and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand
from its place—unless you repent. ”

The Christians in the church at Ephesus left their first love. They had forsaken the beauty of
their special relationship with Him.

Last week, we focused on God’s love for us. Today, we’ll focus on our love for Him.

What Does It Mean to Leave Our “First Love”

Perhaps our country finds itself in dire straits because we have not loved God first. Instead, we have loved and worshipped ourselves. Bowed at the altars of concession and comfort.

The word used to warn the Ephesians they had left their first love is the Hebrew word aphiémi, which connotes abandonment or divorce. What a frightening idea–that we might divorce our hearts, minds, and souls from God. Spiritually turn away from Christ, the Savior of our souls.

What does it mean for God to be our first love?

• Love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) A command carried
from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) to the new, first love encompasses our
thoughts, emotions, intellect, and the entirety of our inner being. It is a love that reflects
that of the Savior.

Author Danielle Bernock writes, “Receiving [the] impartation of knowing God’s love is crucial
to…being able to love God. You cannot give what you do not have. When you find yourself
falling short of loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, turn to receive
more of his love for you.”

Let’s look again at Revelation 2:5 (NASB), “Therefore, remember from where you have fallen,
and repent.”

Christ calls the church to Himself–explaining the steps they must take. Perhaps it is a call for
the modern church, as well.

Christ’s Call to Return to Our First Love

Commended for their work, doctrine, and patience, those who belonged to the church in
Ephesus lived like a lot of us–doing all the things. Attending church. Participating in ministry. Raising families.                  Looking good on the outside.

But Jesus peered beyond the pretense. Saw past the striving, straining, and struggle.

Maybe you find yourself in a similar place. Trying to win God’s favor. Attempting to earn His
approval. Oh, friend, can I gently extend words of encouragement? He wants your heart. A
relationship based on love and devotion.

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He calls us to:
• Remember-The joy of our salvation and the earlier relationship. (Psalm 51:12, Luke
15:17-19)
• Repent-Turn from any areas that are drawing us away from Him.
• Return-Commit to doing that which first grew our passion and relationship with
Christ.

Steps we can take to rekindle our “First Love” for God

As we might with a marriage grown cold, it is important to reinvest in our relationship with the
Lord if we discover our hearts have grown distant. Because traits of first love include the
following, we will focus on them.

• Emotional connection-Practice gratitude. This post lists nine simple ways to cultivate
gratitude to God and others.
• Reciprocal involvement-Pray and listen for God’s response. Read scripture and pause.
Respond by journaling or listing what the Holy Spirit is teaching you.
• Orientation to the future-Ask God to give you a fresh vision for the future as He guides
you as well as the ability to keep your eyes on Him. I’ve offered three practical strategies
here.
• A pervasive presence of the loved one-Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, “Love is really
spelled t-i-m-e.” Make a daily appointment with Jesus. The more we get to know our
loved one, the more our heart yearns to spend time with Him.

A Prayer for the One Longing to Rekindle Her First Love for God

Holy Spirit,

I’ve been going through the motions but I feel spiritually dry. Faith used to be my joy and comfort–now it seems like a checklist. A chore. Forgive me, Father. I commit my heart, soul, and mind to you. Lord, I choose to seek after you for your word tells me that I will find you. (Jeremiah 29:13). In your mercy, would you “restore to me the joy of your salvation”. (Psalm 51:12 NASB).

In the powerful name of Jesus,

Amen

Peace and grace,

Tammy

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