But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Revelation 2:4-5a
One thing that is true about human beings is that we are easily forgetful. Try as we might, we often forget the names of people we have recently met and important dates unless we write them down in our calendars, among other things. For those who are married, we often forget the joy and excitement of when we first met our spouses and began dating. Even more tragic is when we forget God and His faithfulness to us throughout our entire lives. Our tendency to forget calls us to pause, taking time every day to remember first and foremost God and His faithfulness, as well as our relationships with our spouses from the beginning of the relationship through today. As we remember, our relationships with God and our spouses will strengthen and grow.
In Revelation 2, Jesus gave a message to the church in Ephesus through John, who wrote the book of Revelation. He said to this church, “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people…You have patiently suffered for me without quitting” (verses 2-3). So far, the church in Ephesus appears to be doing very well. They worked hard, persevered, refused to tolerate evil, and endured suffering. All of these things are great, but they were missing something. Jesus continued His message to them, saying, "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen!" (verse 4). It appears that the church in Ephesus had a major problem. Their love for God and each other had faded. That is why Jesus gave this command to the church in Ephesus: “Look how far you have fallen” (verse 4). In other words, Jesus called them to remember. He called them to remember their relationship with Him from the beginning, and their deep joy and love for Him when they first fell in love with Him. This was also a call to remember the deep love they felt for each other as they fell in love with Jesus and served Him together. Why was this call to remember so important? Remembering was the first step for the church in Ephesus in returning to loving Him with everything and loving the people around them.
Of course, this call to remember our first love, God, and the people around us is for us today, too. Perhaps today, you are realizing just how far you've fallen in your relationship with God and your spouse, if you are married. Maybe the joy of loving and serving God with your whole heart, soul, and mind that you experienced when you placed your faith in Christ has faded. Perhaps the love you once had for others when you first placed your faith in Christ has also faded. My friend, it is time to remember. Remember God, your first and greatest love. Remember the joy you felt when you gave your life to Him. Then, remember your love for your spouse if you are married. Remember the love you felt for your spouse as you exchanged vows and began your life together. After all, remembering is the first step in turning back to God and growing in your relationship with your spouse.
Take some time today to write in your journal or notebook and reflect on your first love, Christ. Write about how you felt when you first placed your faith in Christ. Write about the joy and love you felt for Him when you repented of your sins and committed your life to Him. Remember the peace that He filled you with as you began your relationship with Him. Then, pray. Thank Him for saving your life and for His faithfulness to you.
If you are married, after remembering your first love, God, take time to remember your spouse. Write about the joy and excitement you felt as you exchanged vows and committed to live life alongside each other. Remember the deep love you felt for them as you began your life together. When you are finished, pray. Thank God for your spouse and the joy and love they have brought to your life.
Revelation 2:1-7
2“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
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