INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we looked at those factors that can move is to higher grounds. These include prompt obedience to the LORD, violent prayers, vision, passion for m the King’s business, aggressive faith, recognising the assigned helper, The Holy Sprit and a life of praise and thanksgiving.
We need to consciously and deliberately apply these factors to our lives in order to keep on moving to higher in life. It would surprise us the heights of glory and power that God would take us to.
Today’s study considers returning to our first love for God. May the God of all love bless us richly as we study in Jesus’ name (Amen).
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: REVELATION 2:1-7
A. WHAT IS MY FIRST LOVE?
The kind of love I had for the Lord Jesus when I gave my life newly to Christ. It was a pure passionate love that made one to be close to God.
There was a high desire and love to pray, read the Bible, Fellowship, win souls. There was serious devotion and dedication to God and His service. You are regular and punctual in Church. It was easy to wake up at night to worship and fellowship with God. You were not ashamed to preach the gospel in those days. Whenever you did not preach you felt bad and unfulfilled. You could not stand the thought of seeing someone go to hell. You love God so much that you are afraid to offend Him. Obeying God on any issue was a thing of joy.
Jn. 3:16; Jn. 15:13; Mt. 22:37-40; 1 Jn. 4:7-8, 18-21; Phil. 3:3, 7-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Jn. 14:15; Jam. 1:2; Eph. 3:13-14
B. RETURNING TO THE FIRST LOVE FOR GOD
The only thing that Jesus held against the Ephesians Church is departing from their first love. There is an area that believers have fallen today without knowing.
Some think that they only time they sin is when they commit the popular sins (fornication, Adultery, lies, bribery, idolatry, etc). Do you know you hurt God by loving Him less? You toy with His feelings. Whenever you diminish in your love for God, you are making a statement that God is no more as important to you as He used to. Spending less time in God’s presence tells God that you have found something more important that needs your time.
Whenever you depart from your first love, you provoke God to jealousy. How is it with you today? If the first love is no more there, then you have fallen. You need to repent and return to that first love. When work, pleasure and other things are now more important to you, you have left your first love. When souls of men you see, even your relations that are going to hell and remain unperturbed, you have left your first love.
The Lord is unhappy unless you repent. Refusing to return to that first love can bring about terrible consequences. Repent and return to your first love before it’s too late.
Rev. 2:1-4; Rom. 3:23; Ps. 42:1-4; Ps. 27:4; Ex. 20:1-5; Mk. 16:15, 20; Mk. 8:35-37; Rev. 2:5; Ps. 85:6-9