You have left your first love.
Revelation 2:4
In the New Testament, we are told of an entire congregational community (the church at Ephesus) that fell to the danger of apathy. Through the pen of the Apostle John, Jesus spoke directly against this failure with the just confrontation, “you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).
What causes good people of faith to grow seemingly indifferent to the saving work of God? Recalling David’s plight, the instigation of such indifference was personal sin (see Devotion for Oct. 30). Looking into the culture of the Ephesus Church, another reason for indifference was, surprisingly, the busyness of work in the church. So, whether our challenges are caused by personal unconfessed sin, or the busyness of good things, the damage is the same: loosing perspective of our salvation in Christ.
How did Jesus call the Ephesus congregation back to Himself? He created in their lives a proper perspective of the emptiness of good works without genuine love. Good works are in and of themselves commendable. But, without the initiation of such works by love, the works themselves fall under the judgment of Christ, regardless of how impressive the works may be to others.
Jesus spoke into the life of the Ephesian church the following assessment (Revelation 2:2-3):
“I know your deeds and your toil.” This represents tremendous toil with aggressive effort.
“I know your perseverance.” This represents a position of commitment not easily discouraged.
“I know you cannot tolerate evil men . . . you have found them to be false.” This represents significant spiritual discernment by the leaders of the Ephesian church who could easily detect anyone coming into the fellowship with heresy.
“You have endured . . . and have not grown weary.” This represents the overall spiritual demeanor of the congregation in their steadfastness against any persecution or atrocity that could understandably be discouraging.
Wow! There you have it: what an amazing congregation! Right? This church worked diligently, was not easily discouraged, discerned evil with an unusual spiritual keenness, and endured hardship for the sake of the Gospel. How commendable!
But in all of this, Jesus said in conclusion, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
How could such a powerfully active church be guilty of such a simple oversight as forgetting love? While this seems impossible, the ease by which busyness replaces godliness happens more than the church today would care to admit. The essence of love for God and for others can continue as a part of the expected attitude of the congregation and the individual, but good deeds have a way of becoming the goal themselves if love does not remain the chief motivation. When this happens, the predominate pursuit is to accomplish the good and expected things that the people of God should be busy about, but with an overemphasis on the activity and very little concern about how such activities will honor God and edify all others. So “no”, doing good things does not necessarily indicate you are doing God’s things.
How can an individual or a congregation overcome this subtle but all too common failure? The words of Jesus continue in Revelation 2:5,
Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
The steps back to the heart of love can be simply outlined by the above verse. First, consideration must be given to the danger of thinking that busyness automatically indicates godliness. Second, when busyness takes control there is a significant need to repent, for the sin of omission becomes as much an enemy to faith as sins committed. The omission of love became the indictment against the Ephesus church and foreshadows the need for such confrontation today. This call to repentance stands before the church as a call from apathy back to a passionate love for God and others. And third, our Lord called the Ephesian Christians back to the love that was so well manifested in them when the Gospel of Jesus and their own salvation was at the forefront of their motivation to serve. So, how can one overcome busyness with a true heart of love? Realize (that omitting love is a sin), repent, and return to your first love (the love birthed in you through your salvation).
Today, we are faced with the call that is as old as the Shema itself: we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart. . . and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We must be aware that we can become so busy ourselves that the work and practice within the church becomes routine and void of the love of God that should define every microcosm of the church. And when this happens, we should quickly repent of our apathy and return to that once passionate love.
So today, assess your work. Is it impressive and congratulated by man? Even so, do not assume your good works are God’s work simply because they are good. Measure all things by the love that God deserves, and a love that should pour out to others. For this indeed is our priority, and our first love – the love born in us through Jesus.
Today, as your serve and work within the church, love. Love well. Avoid apathetic busyness. And remember, the goal is not good works, but God’s work. And it begins in our love.
Blessings.
