Revelation 2:4 (NKJV) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
It was to the once vibrant church in the city of Ephesus that Jesus had to send a note exhorting them to return to their first love. They had left it.
What happened in that church can happen in any church, any family, any life, and really at any time. Their love had grown cold. Their hearts had become hardened. They had become preoccupied with everything else but Jesus. It didn't happen right away. For the church in Ephesus, it took about sixty years for them to stroll away from that vibrant love relationship with Jesus. They started out so strong, so vibrant, so useful, so powerful in the hands of God.
The loveless church Jesus addressed were 'second-generation' Christians. They were very much following the example set by the early nation of Israel.
With Israel:
The FIRST generation KNEW God and SAW His power first hand.
The SECOND generation KNEW God but had only HEARD about His power.
The THIRD generation neither KNEW God or His power. They were lost.
Be that generation that gets back to your first love, friend. The days in which we live are crying out for a generation to stand strong for Jesus!
By Grace,
Pastor Ed
Response
I love these things. On this one, every time I get to that point of thinking "how can I forgive him or her for that" the Holy Spirit reminds me of the wicked servant being forgiven so much but refusing to forgive his fellow servant of so little. I remember how much has been forgiven me and whatever someone has done to me seems so insignificant. God bless you and your willingness to follow God's lead in your life.
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