DON’T FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE!
Rev 2:1-5
2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Judg 8:4
4 And Gideon came to Jordan
Gideon, with his three hundred, plodded after the fleeing enemy. Winded and weary from the chase they yet ran after them. Each step required great effort and their spears must have felt like logs but they kept running. This is gallantry. This is praiseworthy.
The Ephesians attracted the praise of God by their tireless persistence. They had borne the heavy load of ministry patiently. These were workers! Moreover, their hatred of evil aligned with that of God. They hated what He hated. These folks were straight as an arrow morally and doctrinally but they had one problem. In all their labor they had forgotten love.
The charge was serious and the punishment would be severe. Their constant conflict had caused them to forget to maintain a love relationship with God. A careful analysis of John chapter 21 shows us that service must be built upon a foundation of love. Jesus did not ask Peter if he would serve Him. He asked if he LOVED Him.
It is our love for the Lord that will keep pressing onward. No other motivation will suffice through those weary days of chasing the enemy.
Dear Father, let my love for you be renewed. Then will my strength also rise up. Thank you for loving me. AMEN
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