Revelation 2:4-5
KJV: “...I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else, I will come unto thee quickly; and remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
NCV: “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place. v6. But there is something you do that is right: You hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I. [Nicolaitans is the name of a religious group that followed false beliefs and ideas]
What does Jesus means when He said, “thou hast left thy first love?” Jesus was speaking to Ephesians’ Christians who once had their first deep love for Christ and devotion to Him and His Word. Perhaps they had been attending the church for a long time and it became a “habit” for them. Even when they tried to keep up the “correct doctrine,” “obeying some of the commandments,” and “worshiping in the church” were not enough for Christ because the Christians had slowly lost their “heartfelt love for Jesus Christ and all His Word.” They had lost the sincere love for Christ, purity of life, and a love for His truth.
Prophetic message through John who wrote Jesus’ words of warning: “remember where you were before you fell …change your heart and do what you did at first.” Paul encourages all those who say that they are born-again, to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you…” [2 Cor. 13:5a]. NCV: Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you…” All those who say that they are Christians should examine themselves as to be sure that they still have the love for Christ and all His Word. This will keeps us from falling away from Him. It is good to examine our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to help us stay close to Jesus Christ our Lord who is coming soon to take us home in heaven.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for revealing Your Word to us. Thank You for reminding us to keep our first love with You. We ask you to keep our hearts tender toward Holy Spirit and be able to listen to the Holy Spirit and keep us from falling away from You. We love You, we adore You, and we praise You through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
