"First Love" December 14 Readings: Micah 1-2, Revelation 2:1–11, Psalm 141, Proverbs 30:20

 

 Through the Bible in 2021

Bible Readings: Micah 1-2, Revelation 2:1–11, Psalm 141, Proverbs 30:20   

Daily Devotional: First Love 

It is a startling contrast that Jesus draws in his analysis of the church at Ephesus. First, he describes how great a church it was. This was no Corinth, with its immorality, its showy spirituality, and its false doctrine. And it was certainly no Pergamum or Thyatira, no Sardis, and definitely no Laodicea. If I was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Ephesus (okay, it probably wasn't called First Baptist...) I'd think we had a pretty good thing going on!

Look at what Jesus himself said about the church in verses 2 and 3.

 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.

They were hardworking, laboring faithfully and with endurance in ministry. They did not tolerate evil in their midst (a problem seen later in Pergamum and Thyatira). They tested and identified false teachers and found them to be liars. This was high praise from the Savior. 

And his charge against them seemed like such a small thing. He did not charge them with heresy or with immorality. His only charge against them had to do with their passion. They had left their first love. I don't particularly like the translation of the text we are using here - the CSB (which I generally like) - because it gives the idea of time. Jesus is not talking about a love they USED to have but a love that puts Jesus first above anything else. It is about priorities. Jesus was no longer the #1 passion in their hearts. 

They were working for Jesus. They were wearing themselves out in the service of the gospel. They were doctrinally sound and careful to maintain theological discernment in the church - no false apostles were going to peddle their toxic wares in that congregation. But Jesus was no longer the driving passion of their hearts. 

Jesus is not willing to accept second place in the hearts of the redeemed and he is not willing to share first place. It is no small thing when a church or the people who comprise it let their passion for Christ trail off and replace it with a passion for anything else - even good things. A passion for sound doctrine and hard work in ministry is great, but it cannot replace a passion for Christ. 

Jesus must always be first. 

Father, I realize that too much of my life has been lived in Ephesus. Rekindle the fire of my passion for Christ every day. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

What is the controlling passion of your life?
Is Jesus the driving force, the One who matters most?
Or do you give him the leftovers, what you don't give to other things?
Is Jesus your "first love?"