Do the Things Done at First

Scripture: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:4-6

Observation: John recounts the message to the church in Ephesus by including this about their failures, that they have "forsaken the love you had at first". While they are still faithful and faith-filled, remaining consistent in their belief in Jesus and their hatred for wickedness, they have lost their first love ... they have lost that child-like spark of joy and commitment to Jesus someone has when they first believe.

Yes, the church does not tolerate wicked people, and tests false teachers (v2). They also hate the Nicolaitans, who accept worldly behaviors with a declaration that, as believers, they are forgiven so all is permissible. However, these are acts of obedience only. They aren't joyful. They aren't loving. They don't celebrate daily the fact they are redeemed and worship with happiness. While the obedience is good, the joy and love is better and even necessary for true faith.

Application: I often do this ... hate others while declaring I am 'good' due to some practice, while failing to truly be faithful to the Lord. I hate the practices of some in the church, but I am not a 'good Christian' who shows love and joy and happiness. The fact I hate disobedience is ironic compared to my own lack of obedience.

I want to eat of the tree of life, planted by the river that flows from the throne of the Lord. I want to repent and find my first love again, and thus have joy and celebration fill my spare time and occupy my mind day and night.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my sins and my ways, and help me return to the love I had at first, the love I find when I'm not just hating what others do, but loving you and our word, meditating on it day and night, and celebrating the gift of salvation from Jesus. May my mind be filled with you. Amen.