John wrote the book of revelations from the Isle of Patmos where he was sent on exile because of his faith. John had visions of heaven and had revelations concerning the seven spirits or angels of the seven churches. The exhortation to the church in Ephesus was that they had abandoned the love they once had for God and the things of God. John encouraged the church to remember the way they used to be before and how much zeal they had for God. They are urged to return to their place of love and reverence (Revelations 2:1-7).
We tend to have great zeal and passion when we first discover the things of God and when we make that first commitment to serve God. As time goes by the challenges and cares of life can cause us to abandon that first love and our commitment can wane. If we recognise that we have lost that first love, then we have recommit to pursue God with the passion and zeal we once had. We talk about human relationships and the work that it takes to maintain these connections. In the same way that we maintain our human relationships, we have to also maintain our commitment and love for God and the things of God.
We love God because he first loved us and he offers us an unconditional love that comes without ulterior motives. We often worry about loving some people who are not good for us and can cause us pain and harm. But the love we have for God casts out all our fears and worries. We have the assurance that God loves us with an everlasting love that does not change depending on how good we are.
God created us for love and fellowship and he does not stop loving us even when we drift away from him. He is calling us back into fellowship with him and we have assurance that being in his will brings safety and peace. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5).
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 