Revelation 2:4-5
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, except you repent.
Someone once wrote a song that asked the question? “What’s love got to do with it?”
Well, the Lord answered this question hundreds of years ago in his Word!
Love has everything to do with life and godliness in this world and Christ Jesus!
In Deutoronomy 6:4-7 we are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul and might.
In Matthew 22, the Lord takes it a step further and tells us in:
Matthew 22:37-40 KJ2000
37 Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
These words in scripture are the most profound that you will ever read!
Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself!
This is the first and great commandment, and on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets!
Wow! Don’t miss this! We often talk about love, and we have heard many sermons on love, and we take it so lightly!
But the virtue of love is very important!
The Apostle John and Paul even confirms this!
John tells us in :
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Paul said in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
He goes a step further in 1 Corinthians 16:14 and says, “Let all that you do be done with love.”
Many years ago, I was praying, fasting, and studying the Word, and I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Many will be judged according to their love walk!”
In other words, Many will be judged for their wrathful hate and lack of love on that day when we stand before the Lord.
Why?
Because love is the greatest commandment according to scripture!
Truth is also ingrained in love as well. We tell the truth concerning all things, because we love one another, and sometimes the truth hurts.
The Lord Jesus loved the church of Ephesus enough to tell them the truth, and said the following about love:
Rev 2:2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil, and you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
Rev 2:3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
The virtue of love is so important that the Lord told this church that you have done some good things, but I have this one thing against you, “You left your first love!”
The Word of God tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God first in Deuteronomy chapter 6, and in Matthew chapter 22, love God and your neighbor, which means that the commandment of love is very important.
He then tells them to remember where they were in their love walk, and to repent, and redo the first works, or I will come and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent.
This church is referred to as the “loveless church” who left their first love.
They were commended for many things they did, but their love walk was lacking!
We should never get caught up in just doing things for God out of obligation. The reason for everything we do is because we love God first and foremost.
In this new season, let us take the time to reflect on our love walk first with God, and with our neighbor, which will ensure that we will not receive the rebuke and wrath from God because of a lack of love!
Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus Name!
God bless!
Pastor Quinn
“Stay tuned for my upcoming book entitled: Letters to the Churches: The Revelation Churches Explained.”