Jesus told the Church in Ephesus that they had left their first love.We have always been taught that this meant tat they had put service above Jesus and left their love for Jesus. But on further meditation on Jesus’ final words to His disciples, I believe we may have missed something. You see, Jesus final command to His disciples was that they love one another as He loved them. The first love the Church knew was that of their Lord and their God for them. But the first love they were to express was that same love for one another and the world around them, For it was to be by their love that all men would know they were the disciples of Christ. This was and is the first command of Christ for His Church – to love as He loved. This was their first love. This is what Ephesus lost – they no longer lived in love toward one another. They become another religious organization on the earth with creed, doctrine, apologetics and politics. But they lacked that which made them a living entity on the earth – the Love of Christ for each other. Their works and reputation became more important than each other.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you. Love one another.” This love was to that which binds us together and made us willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others. It was the same love the Father has for the Son and the Son has for you and I. I hear our Lord saying once more to us, His Church today – “I have this against you. You have left your first Love. You have made your religion, your creed, your program more important than each other.” Where are those who will Love as He loves? Where are those who will lay down their lives, their reputations, their rights, their dreams and desires, their needs for others? This is what our Lord is calling us to now in this hour. His love will conquer hatred. His love will conquer racism. His love will breach and cover all injustices. His love will level out all inequalities. But His love will cost us everything as it cost Him everything. Are you greater than your master that this should not be required of you? Or is the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is not your Master, but rather you yourself are still master of your own life? My Holy Spirit bring truth to our inner man and make us what God intended us to be.
