Revelation 2:4-5 (AMP)
4 But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. 5 So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.
Jesus had some pretty good things to say about the church at Ephesus. Their toil, patience and endurance, also the fact that they did not tolerate evil. He also commended them for testing those who called themselves apostles yet they were liars and imposters. But even with all the good commendations Jesus says he has one thing against them, they have forsaken their first love. The love they had for God and for each other. Back in the book of Ephesians Paul the apostle had some great things to say about their love for God;
Ephesians 1:15-16
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers;
The church in Ephesus had started well but along the way something happened, though they continued with the motions, their hearts had drifted from God. They were busy but the motives of their hearts were wrong, love for God was no longer the motivating factor.
We face the same kind of pitfall today. The church is busy doing so many things but have we drifted from our first love? Have you and I drifted from our first love? Though on the outside we seem ok, busy doing so much for the Lord, have our hearts drifted away from Him?
Mark 3:14 (AMP)
14 And He appointed [a]twelve [disciples], so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives],
The first and important thing is to be with Him, to love Him and then the things we do will spring forth from the love we have for him.
Remember back to the day you gave your life to Christ. Remember the joy and excitement and how you wanted to please Him. Remember how you told everyone about your new found love and how you wanted them to experience the same. Remember how you were so careful not to engage in anything that would displease Him and how you wanted to serve Him.
Do you still have the same zeal? May God search our hearts, may we repent and go back to our first love so that our lamp stand may not be removed.
