There’s something special about the early days of being a Christian. Do you remember what it felt like when you first came to know Jesus? There was a fire in your heart, a joy in your spirit, and a love that seemed unstoppable. But over time, that fire can fade. It’s easy to slip into routine, doing all the right things but without the same love and passion. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus spoke to the church at Ephesus, saying, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
What Is the First Love?
The “first love” that Jesus mentions is that deep, fresh love for Him that fills our hearts when we first become believers. It’s a love that’s full of joy, gratitude, and awe. It drives us to read the Bible, pray, and tell others about Him because we can’t contain our excitement. This love is what God desires most from us—our sincere devotion to Him, more than just going through the motions. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Our first love is a love that puts Him first above all else.
Signs of Leaving Your First Love
The church at Ephesus was doing many things right. They worked hard, stayed strong in faith, and rejected false teachings (Revelation 2:2-3). But something was missing—their love for Jesus had cooled. It’s a reminder that even when we’re busy with church work or ministry, we can still drift away from our first love.
If we’re not careful, we can start doing things for God out of habit or duty, rather than out of a heart full of love. We may still read the Bible, pray, and go to church, but it becomes a routine instead of a relationship. The warmth and joy fade, and we might find ourselves just “going through the motions.”
How to Return to Your First Love
Jesus doesn’t just point out the problem—He gives a solution. In Revelation 2:5, He says, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Let’s look at these three steps Jesus gives:
1. Remember: Take a moment to think back to when you first believed. Remember how excited you were about Jesus. Think about the joy you had in just knowing Him. Psalm 51:12 says, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” Sometimes, the first step to rekindling our love for God is simply remembering where we started.
2. Repent: The next step is to repent, which means to turn back to God. It’s about admitting to Him that our love has grown cold and asking for His help to rekindle it. This is a humble return to God, realizing that we need Him to soften our hearts again. In 1 John 1:9, we are reminded, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
3. Do the First Works: Jesus tells us to return to the basics, to go back to what we did when we first loved Him. Read the Bible with fresh eyes, pray with a sincere heart, and share your faith like you did at the start. The simple acts of devotion and service that sprang from love are what God desires. In Psalm 37:4, we’re encouraged, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Encouragement for Those Who Are On Fire
If your heart is still on fire for the Lord, keep that flame going! Don’t let it fade over time. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Surround yourself with people who encourage your faith and stir up that love for Christ in you. Spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, always seeking a closer walk with Him.
Encouragement for Those Who Have Left Their First Love
If you feel like you’ve lost that first love, know that Jesus is inviting you to come back. He doesn’t want your love for Him to grow cold. Like the father who ran to meet the prodigal son, God is ready to receive you with open arms. In James 4:8, we’re told, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” God is ready to meet you where you are. All you need to do is take the first step back.
Loving Jesus is not just a phase or a feeling that comes and goes. It’s the heart of our faith. Jesus loved us first, and He desires for us to love Him with all our hearts. Let’s keep that first love alive, rekindling the fire when it fades, and holding onto that pure, joyful devotion. Remember, a love for Jesus that stays fresh and strong is a love that will carry us through life.
