Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning. -Anonymous
In this article we will take a look at another attitude that is extremely destructive to our churches - forgetting our first love. You say, I love everyone in my church. Perhaps you do in word, but when we look at how the Bible defines love we quickly find out that we oftentimes forget this part of our daily walk with the Lord. This is precisely what happened at the church of Ephesus during the time of the writing of the book of Revelation. Notice the text in Revelation chapter 2:
In this article we will take a look at another attitude that is extremely destructive to our churches - forgetting our first love. You say, I love everyone in my church. Perhaps you do in word, but when we look at how the Bible defines love we quickly find out that we oftentimes forget this part of our daily walk with the Lord. This is precisely what happened at the church of Ephesus during the time of the writing of the book of Revelation. Notice the text in Revelation chapter 2:
Revelation 2:2-4 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Here is a church that would be considered orthodox by Bible standards. They patiently worked and labored in the kingdom of God. They diligently stood for doctrinal truth and were good judges of the true intentions of men. Yet Jesus had a problem with them because they had left their first love. This was a serious indictment pronounced by the Lord. How exactly did they leave their first love? The text does not specifically say. However, in light of other scriptures we can ascertain the general attitude which the Lord rebuked in this passage and apply it to our current situation.
1 John chapter 4 deals with us loving our brother. Is love merely a word that is arbitrarily used to describe our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? No indeed! This passage deals with us loving our brother as Christ loved us.
1 John 4:19-20 We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Love in this passage is translated from the Greek word, agapao which is aptly defined as a noble affection or concern for others. This attitude was expressly communicated to us (God's children) through Jesus Christ's self-sacrificing actions on the cross for our eternal salvation. Do you see how love extends infinitely beyond mere words and placation?
Here are a couple of scenarios for your consideration:
You are confronted with a new visitor to your church that does not fit the demographic (usually white, middle-aged, middle class) of the majority of others in the congregation. Perhaps they are black and you were raised to have a certain bias against people of color? Would you show them the same love and consideration as other congregants? Maybe some folks visit that are obviously destitute and you automatically assume that they must be lazy and are looking for a handout. Is this biblical love? These are important parts to ponder. Perhaps the church at Ephesus made distinctions between different races and socioeconomic groups, and this is why they were rebuked of the Lord.
Do you accept children as a part of your church? Throughout my time in the church I have been astonished at how some 'respected' members of the church treat children. Unfortunately, I have seen them marginalized and unfairly rebuked because they acted like kids. They should be loved and treated as respectfully as any other part of the congregation. Yes they can be loud. Yes they do make messes and can be rambunctious. So what! They are not only the future of the church, but the present as well. I love Jesus' teaching about children. It will do us well to constantly remember it when we find ourselves losing patience with the little ones around us.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
My friends we must put aside our biases and annoyances for the sake of the church. ALL who make up our congregations come with baggage because ALL are sinners. If anyone had the authority and right to give up on others, it was the Lord. Yet he loved us. He still loves his church! Have you left off loving your brothers in sisters in Christ? If so, repent! If this attitude is allowed to continue, our churches will find themselves in the same situation as the church Ephesus of old.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Lord help us to follow Christ's example of loving the church, differences and all!
You are confronted with a new visitor to your church that does not fit the demographic (usually white, middle-aged, middle class) of the majority of others in the congregation. Perhaps they are black and you were raised to have a certain bias against people of color? Would you show them the same love and consideration as other congregants? Maybe some folks visit that are obviously destitute and you automatically assume that they must be lazy and are looking for a handout. Is this biblical love? These are important parts to ponder. Perhaps the church at Ephesus made distinctions between different races and socioeconomic groups, and this is why they were rebuked of the Lord.
Do you accept children as a part of your church? Throughout my time in the church I have been astonished at how some 'respected' members of the church treat children. Unfortunately, I have seen them marginalized and unfairly rebuked because they acted like kids. They should be loved and treated as respectfully as any other part of the congregation. Yes they can be loud. Yes they do make messes and can be rambunctious. So what! They are not only the future of the church, but the present as well. I love Jesus' teaching about children. It will do us well to constantly remember it when we find ourselves losing patience with the little ones around us.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
My friends we must put aside our biases and annoyances for the sake of the church. ALL who make up our congregations come with baggage because ALL are sinners. If anyone had the authority and right to give up on others, it was the Lord. Yet he loved us. He still loves his church! Have you left off loving your brothers in sisters in Christ? If so, repent! If this attitude is allowed to continue, our churches will find themselves in the same situation as the church Ephesus of old.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Lord help us to follow Christ's example of loving the church, differences and all!
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