Our love for Jesus Christ needs to be first in place, not in time.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
First in Place, Not in Time
Our love for Jesus Christ needs to be first in place, not in time. Often this verse is misunderstood to mean we need to somehow go back to the love we had for the Lord when we first got saved. I hope your love for the Lord is not that shallow today such that you do not love Him more today. Our love for the Lord needs to be positionally first in place. There should be nothing in this world that puts your love for to Lord in second, third or lower position in your life. That even goes for your “service” for the Lord. When John was writing to the church at Ephasus here, he was commending them for their service. They had plenty of that and the Lord liked that. The problem was they let their love wain for the Lord. They mistook service for love. God wants your love first.
Marriage – An Illustration of First Love
I have been married for over 25 years. My love for my wife is far greater today that it was 25 years ago. That is because I know her better. It is because I have invested time in maintaining and growing a relationship. It is because we are best friends and fellowship with one another daily. She is first in my heart and mind behind the Lord Jesus Christ. There is not someone else I put before her. I try and do things for her because I want to please her.
The same can be said of our relationship with the Lord. The Lord even uses marriage as an example of the relationship of the believer to Christ. If you have been saved a while, your love for the Lord should be greater today than it was the day you got saved. You know Him better. You read His word and you know His likes and dislikes. You have invested time in maintaining and growing a relationship with the Lord. The Lord Jesus should be your best friend, ahead of anyone on this earth. He should always be first in your heart and first on your mind. There should not anyone or anything ahead of your love for the Lord. You should do what brings pleasure to the Lord. You should want to live a life that is pleasing Him. The bride wants to please the bridegroom. Is your love for the Lord Jesus first in place, not in time?
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