“I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first…” Revelation 2:4-5 RSV

Early Loves

Part 2

Yesterday we came to see the ways we may have abandoned the love we first had for Jesus. This Scripture came from Jesus’ revelation of Himself to the church of Ephesus. Today, all believers read this warning, along with the other six warnings in the book of Revelation, to test ourselves in various aspects of walking with the Lord.

Jesus called this abandonment of our first love a falling. “Remember from what you have fallen….” We can only fall from a higher place to a lower place. In Jesus’ eyes, this is not a good thing. We are to climb to higher places, not fall to lower places.

“He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights” (Psalm 18:33 NLT). Deer climb up, or they climb down. They do not fall unless forced to do so by a pursuing predator. They may momentarily slip on loose rocks, or may slide back a bit if the way is very steep.

Yes, let’s admit it. Sometimes the way is steep—it’s hard for us to maintain our course with the Lord. We look for an easier way, and when we take that way, we end up lost, or sliding down in ways we never expected. Looking back at the times I have slid back in my walk, the easy way only seemed easier at the time. In reality, it involved brutal separation from Him, disobedience to His commands, and a shift away from His call on my life—hard things to ignore. I exchanged peace for turmoil. “My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him” (Hosea 11:7).

But a wonderful promise follows our repentance: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4). Yes! He “heals” our backsliding, as if backsliding was a disease or disability (which, of course, it is.)

It’s so important that we remember our past with the Lord—the things He did to save us, the ways He has held and kept us as His own people. We must remember His love for us, and the times we have most been in love with Him. This will keep us walking His way, climbing the heights of His will for us, all the while becoming the person He created us to be.

 Lord, help us remember the place from which we have fallen. Make our walk sure and stable. Bring our will into alignment with Yours, that we may desire what You desire for us. Help us not lose sight of You as we climb up to that place in life You prepared for us. Help us do the hard things again. “For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). Amen.