“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance … Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. (Revelation 2:2, 4-5)
In Revelation 2, Jesus wants the members of a very good church in Ephesus to start thinking about their first love again. He wants them to get back to living a life where Jesus is first in their hearts and center of their days. He wants them to have a first love for who He is, not just what He does. He wants them to share His heart, not just His name.
Jesus wants the same for you and me since loving and living for Him can easily get lost in all of our Christian “hard work” and “perseverance.” It seems like Christians these days talk more about their churches, ministries, and spiritual gifts than they talk about Jesus Himself. Sometimes they seem more loyal to these things than Jesus, when all along He is the one and only Savior, Lord, and King.
To all of this Jesus gives a very simple strategy for those who are willing to “hear what the Spirit says” and shine again. His strategy will actually encourage you and bring you great joy. Jesus’ strategy is this: “Repent and do the things you did at first.” That’s it! Make a decision to turn around and do the things you would do when you first fall in love!