Returning to the flame that first captured your heart. Remember where you fell. Jesus speaks directly to the issue of lost love in Revelation 2 verses 4 to 5.
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.
This message to the Ephesian church reveals a hidden truth. Passion for Jesus can fade even while we continue doing ministry. You may still attend church, pray or serve, yet the fire of intimacy dims.
Like a marriage grown cold through routine, our walk with Christ can become mechanical. Jesus' solution? Remember how it all began, your excitement, awe, and hunger for His presence and return to it.
Mary Magdalene, a heart that clings. Mary Magdalene gives us a powerful picture of first love. After Jesus' resurrection, she stood weeping at the empty tomb, 11-18. The disciples had come and gone, but Mary lingered. Her love would not let her leave. She had been delivered from seven demons, Luke 8 verse 2, and her life was transformed completely.
Jesus wasn't just her teacher, He was her deliverer, her hope. When you lose your first love, remember what He delivered you from. The more deeply we understand our past bondage, the more passionate our gratitude becomes.
Mary's devotion brought her face to face with concerned with our theology or outward act. He wants communion. He is knocking even when we've stopped listening. To reignite love, we must open the door again, invite him to dine with us.
Verse 20, and return to personal intimacy. Peter's restoration, love after failure. After denying Jesus three times, Peter's shame could have distanced him permanently.
But in John 21, Jesus tenderly restores him, not with rebuke, but with the question, Do you love me? Three times. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus replies with a commission, Feed my sheep.
The lesson? Jesus values love above flawless performance. When your love feels lost, don't hide in guilt. Let him restore you. Love is reignited when we receive forgiveness and rediscover our purpose.
How to reignite the flame? Repent, acknowledge where your love cooled,
Revelation 2 verse 5. Reflect, recall moments when your heart burned for him. Return, start doing what you did before, fasting, worship, time in the word, sharing your testimony.
Relate, spend time with Jesus, not just for needs, but for friendship. Final encouragement. Jesus desires your heart, not just your hands. Your first love is not gone, it's waiting. He calls not the perfect, but the willing.
As he said to the Ephesian church, return and do the works you did at first. He's still knocking. Open the door. Let the fire burn again.
Stay Blessed.
