How Does it Happen?
A very well-known passage in the Bible is found in Revelation 2.4. Unfortunately, it is not a passage that expresses the amazing love of Jesus, the patience of God, or the incredible hope we have as Christians. Instead, it is remembered for far different reasons. The words in this verse are the words of Jesus, which were recorded to us by John. Addressing the church in Ephesus, Jesus said, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
There is one question that should be asked as you read that verse. How could this possibly happen? This church was made up of people who came to the realization of their sins, understood the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, and personally confessed their faith in front of others. They were convinced that God had forgiven them for their sins and brought them into a relationship with him.
How is it possible for a group of people who have shared the experience above to abandon their first love? I know it is debated what the word first in this passage means, but in one sense it really doesn’t matter. Knowing all of this, how could any portion of their love, in relation to God, have disappeared? Unfortunately, I don’t have that answer. However, there are still lessons that we need to learn from this example.
First, a church is not just a single entity. Rather, it is comprised of individual people and family units. It is easy to disconnect from this idea if we forget that this is personal. For the above condition expressed by Jesus to happen, individual Christians had to abandon their first love. Families left their first love. In other words, people began to shift the object of their love. Instead of focusing completely on God, it was directed elsewhere.
Second, Christianity, without love as a motivating force, is nothing more than empty action. The words that we sing and prayers we express only matter when originating from a heart devoted to God. We understand this concept well. Flattery and praise from a person that cares nothing of you is meaningless. Is it possible that God feels the same way?
Third, it can happen to you as well. A person once brought to tears by the love of God can become calloused toward the sacrifice of Jesus. A family once set on learning of God and serving Him can abandon that devotion. A church can drift away from the purpose of God.
So, once again, how does this happen? There are numerous reasons. But, regardless of the reason, there is likely a common characteristic among all reasons. It often happens slowly, one small step at a time. Allow me to use a famous example that everyone understands – diet and exercise. A person can receive a reminder that clearly illustrates the need to change habits. If the reason was strong enough, immediate changes are made. However, one little bowl of ice cream at a time begins to redirect one’s life back to the way it previously looked. It is hard to miss the first exercise routine, but once that one is missed, the second, third, and tenth become easy to forget.
I am not saying, “Don’t eat any ice cream.” This is just to illustrate how easy it is to fall back into the person that you have been for years. Apply this to Christianity and it works in the same way. Eventually, a person can slowly abandon the love they once had for God. This week I encourage you to develop a new habit. Find ways each day to reflect on Jesus and His amazing love. If you realize that you may have slipped some, then begin to bring God back into your life and increase that love – instead of abandoning it.