3699 — The First Love, Rev. 2:4
By Editor
Please explain Rev. 2:4: "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Simply this: that the ardor and zeal of that Ephesus church at first manifested had departed. How true that is of many Christian converts! They start out with earnest zeal for God; nothing is too hard for them if they know the Master requires it. Even sacrifice itself becomes a joy; but after a time, through lack of service, of prayer, or reading of the Word of God, Christian duties become a weariness, and the first love departs. God would have the first love retained,—a warm, earnest zeal and affection for the Master, which is willing to labor and have patience and bear for His name's sake. He tells how this first love may be restored, and that is by doing the first works, repenting of all sin, and coming to God for a fresh baptism of His grace.