"I Have This Against You"

Lord, please allow me to receive the truth You have for me today in these passages of Scripture.


"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write .. "I know your works, you labor, your patience, and that yo cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and I have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:1-4)


There was a wonderful church at Ephesus, full of Christians who were faithfully, effectively and persistently working for the Lord. Yet this church had a fatal flaw: they had left their first love. It wasn't that they didn't love Jesus anymore; they just didn't love Him as they used to love Him. The spiritual honeymoon was over. They were still a respectable, active, growing church, but they had lost the glow.


What happened t that abounding, enthusiastic love they had for Jesus when they first began to serve Him? Well, it's possible they became too interested in fighting heresy. It can happen to any Christian - we can get caught up in the business of defending our faith and forget to be on our knees before the Lord. Could it be they were so busy doing things for Jesus that they failed to spend time with Him? There's nothing wrong with dedicated Christian service. But what a tragedy it would be if what we do for Jesus keeps us from Jesus! We must not neglect that intimate, personal time with the Lord - which keeps us mindful of why we love Him with that incomparable first love ardor.


Do you love Jesus with a blazing, passionate, emotional love?  That's what He wants from you more than anything else. Jesus wants your heart. If you give Him your money, He's no richer. If you give Him your scholarship, He's no smarter. if you give Him your labor, He's no better off. He has it all. The one thing He really desires from you is your unparalleled love.


~Adrian Rogers~