Changi Chapel

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love" – Rev 2:4

What the Lord said to them was essentially this: "In the midst of all your zeal and your activity, you have lost sight of Me. You have lost that fervent devotion that you once had for Me.

Now everything has degenerated into a dry routine. You’re still going to the meetings, reading your Bible and praying. But it has all become a ritual." 

The church in Ephesus had become like a wife who once served her husband joyfully out of love for him, but who now considers the same tasks a drudgery – because the fire of love has gone out of her marriage.

In the olden days, she used to wait eagerly for her husband to come back from the office every evening. But not now. She is still faithful to him, but she has lost her first love.

What does a true husband desire from his wife first of all? Is it her love or her labours? Certainly, it is her love. It is the same with the Lord.

God desires the love of our hearts first and foremost. When that is gone, everything that we do becomes dead works.

Good works become dead works when love for God is not the motivating force behind them.

What drives your labors for the Lord – your first love or a dry sense of duty?

Zac Poonen
Author/Bible Teacher/Pastor

© Zac Poonen. Excerpted and adapted from his recent writings. www.cfcindia.com

Your comments, thoughts or suggestions are welcome. The body text is by the author, the header and the words in italics are mine. My apologies for not being able to send these out the last few days – John B. Samuel