Dave’s Monday Blast – March 30, 2015
Ephesus was the home of a tremendous ministry. Despite harsh persecution, the church planted by Paul endured opposition, spread the gospel, and was quick to challenge false prophets. But just 30 years after the Apostle left, John’s revelation included a stern warning for those believers. (Revelation 2:1-7)
Imagine how the words from John must have struck the Ephesians when they read them. After complimenting their service to the gospel, Christ said, “But I have this against you…” That phrase was no doubt extremely disconcerting. The Lord warned them that they had “left their first love.” In other words, all their enduring work was being done with wrong motives.
Christ called the Ephesians to remember their love for Him and for their delight in His salvation. Service is simply no substitute for an intimate relationship, but modern believers continue to fall into this same subtle trap. The commendable things that we do count for nothing unless they stem from a vibrant personal connection with God. Our work can’t be effective or fruitful unless He is in it.
In fact, God is more interested in you and your personal relationship with Him than in a thousand lifetimes of good works. He desires to be the satisfaction and delight of His children so that their service is a result of loving devotion.
There are plenty of wrong reasons to labor for the Kingdom; MEN OF INTENTION know this all too well. However, God is satisfied only with service motivated by love for Him. He wants those with selfish intentions to return to their first love. In that way, hearts and minds can be renewed, and service to the Lord will be more fruitful. So it begs the question my friends, have you lost your first love?
