Based on the words of Christ in Matthew 22:37-40, it is clear that God should be the First Love (priority) of every believer – and that believers are to Love one another with Godly reverence and fear.
“37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
In the case of the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7, the church is being corrected for departing from its First Love.
v.4-5 “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.“
The church receives a strong exhortation from the Lord to repent (turn away from the fall from Love) and return again to the first works – which were motivated and driven by the Love of God and were consistent with the first and great commandment.
God does not tolerate a forsaking of Love. I John 4:16 says “God is Love” – to forsake Love means to forsake God. In reading Revelation 2:1-7, is there any Godly convictions that arise in your heart with regards to a departure from the First Works in your life?
It could be as simple as something that God has placed in your heart and confirmed that you were called to do, yet you have not embraced it or taken it seriously to heart. Take advantage of the exhortation and opportunity presented in Revelation 2:1-7 to “repent and do the first works“. The Lord is merciful and forbearing, and is willing to reward the surrender of your heart to His Love.
v.7 “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
– Psalms 34:8
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