Monday, 2nd June 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: EPHESUS: REKINDLING FIRST LOVE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” — Revelation 2:4 (ESV)

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to return to your first love?

In the letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus acknowledges their diligence: their labour, endurance, and refusal to tolerate evil. Yet, amid the applause, His voice sharpens with grief: “You have abandoned the love you had at first.” This is not a minor flaw—it is a grave heart issue.

The Ephesian Christians were doing the right things, but not for the right reason. Their hands were full, but their hearts were empty.

It is dangerously easy to drift from a burning love for Christ into mechanical religion. Like a marriage gone cold, what once overflowed with joy and intimacy becomes routine and detached. As Tertullian once said, “Without love, faith is a mere shadow.” Christianity without love for Christ becomes hollow performance.

Christ's warning is urgent, not optional: “Repent... If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Rev 2:5). The removal of the lampstand is the removal of influence and presence—sobering words for any church or believer.

This is a wake-up call. Jesus is not far off; His return is near. And when He comes, He seeks hearts that burn, not merely hands that serve.

To those faithfully living in love: be encouraged. The fire in your heart is not unnoticed. Like the wise virgins with oil in their lamps (Matt 25), you are ready for the Bridegroom’s return. Keep fuelling that flame through worship, obedience, and intimacy with Christ.

As Augustine wrote, “He loves Thee too little, who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake.”

But to the wayward, hear this clearly: Christ calls you back—not with condemnation, but with a lover’s longing. Return to your first love. Remember the joy of your salvation, the tears of gratitude, the awe of grace. That door is still open—for now. Delay no longer. The King is coming.

God bless you more.

FURTHER READING: Revelation 2:1-7

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Are you loving God the same way you did when you met Christ or you've grown cold?

2. Are you living in anticipation of the coming of your Lord or you have slipped?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, forgive us for hearts grown cold. Restore in us the passion we once knew. Teach us to love You with all we are. May we be ready for Your return, living not only rightly—but lovingly, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Corinthians 1; Psalm 148; 2 Samuel 24:25