February 3, 2022

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

We are still looking at the letter of Jesus to the infant church. Our God is the God of encouragement. He generously affirms every effort that is praiseworthy. We should be confident also that every rebuke is given in perfect love, with our best interest at heart. Due to the wayward tendency of the human condition, we are susceptible to the constant gravitational pull on our motives and loyalties toward the camp of the enemy. The effect of that pull is often very gradual, as the enemy is cunningly strategic; he doesn’t want us to become aware of the downward slippage. A vital love relationship with our Creator is the antidote to this problem. The first Commandment is often only partially quoted which can weaken the positive impact. God spoke it directly to His children with His own voice and later codified it with His own finger in stone:

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3

It is good to remember the first line of the first Commandment. He is identifying Himself as the One who has already “brought you out” (rescued!). If the term “land of Egypt” doesn’t have the immediate connotation of misery and slavery, then surely the next phrase “house of bondage” makes it crystal clear. His divine love is the power behind all that He has already done for us.

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

The English words “shall/should,” may not evoke a willing response from our rebellious hearts. It may be helpful to understand that, in the spectrum of meaning of the original Hebrew word, “will/would” is closer to what is meant. If we recognize the great lengths to which He has gone to save us, our will is altered! We desire to love Him. Our part in this love relationship is necessary if we truly desire to “enter by the narrow gate” (see Matthew 7:13-14) onto heavenly territory.