Losing Our Affection

The Christians at Ephesus walked closely with the Lord. As I read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I am amazed at the gospel these people heard and lived. Paul compliments them at length. He addresses them as “faithful in Christ Jesus…who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:1-5, NKJV).

What a description of a blessed, holy people. Jesus also compliments the Ephesian Christians in the book of Revelation: “I know your works, your labor, your patience” (Revelation 2:2). In other words, “I know all the good things going on in your lives. You patiently labor for me without complaining and you will do anything for others. You are diligent in your good works and that is very commendable.”

Jesus points out something else in the hearts of these Ephesians, something he notes is deeply wrong. He says, “I see all your works, your hatred for sin, your love for truth, your righteous courage. Somehow, in all your labors, you’ve allowed your first love to wither. Your affection for me is dying.” 

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Beloved, I have read and reread this verse and have concluded that its seriousness cannot be overlooked. 

I would like to think I am an Ephesian-type Christian, a faithful laborer. I want to believe that my suffering is for Jesus’s sake and that my good works glorify him. If I practice righteous living, I will be seated with him in heavenly places. When I read of Jesus walking among such well-taught believers as the Ephesians and telling them, “I have something against you,” though, it grips my soul. 

I have to pray and ask, “Jesus, do you have something against me? Have I also lost my affection for you?" Beloved, our first love is Christ. See him today with all your affection.