First Love for God

Because of the salvation from sin's penalty we should love God continually with all our being (Mk 12:30). However, many Christians experience times when the initial zeal and passion for their faith begins to fade.

Losing Our First Love

If you have been a Christian for a period probably you have experienced a time when the 'honeymoon' with Jesus has lost its lustre, and there has come a comparative coldness of heart, a losing of your first love. First love denotes priority rather than timeframe. The church in Ephesus was praised for their works, labour, patience and perseverance, yet reprimanded "that you have left your first love" (Rev 2:1-4). They had lost the zeal and passion with which they had embraced their salvation, and they began to 'go through the motions' – the mechanical rituals rather than being motivated by the love of and for Christ.

Jesus had warned, "The love of many [for God] will grow cold" (Mt 24:12). When that happens something else will take the place He is to have (Ex 20:3). A new Christian typically experiences an exciting 'first love' for truth, then spiritual battles take their toll and the initial enthusiasm diminishes.

How would I describe my present love for God?

Recapturing Our First Love

If this has happened the focus should be how to recapture our 'first love' for God – "Remember...repent and do the first works" (Rev 2:5). They were urged to thoughtfully compare their current level of love with their former and then take the necessary actions to remedy this. After David had drifted away from God, he repented and fervently prayed, "Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your glorious Spirit" (Ps 51:12). Reflecting on our spiritual journey helps us identify where we may have drifted from our original devotion.

If we truly hunger and thirst after Him and His ways by actively seeking God we will find Him (Jer 29:13; Mt 5:6, 7:7-8; Jas 4:8). Besides repentance, we do this by diligently studying the Scriptures and praying. This must be backed up by obedience. Satan will do all he can to prevent our close connection to Christ – don't let him get the advantage (2 Cor 2:11).

Maintaining Our Love

It is important to meet with other believers to encourage and be encouraged in the faith and be involved in good works (Heb 10:24-25). Regular fellowship and active service help sustain our spiritual fervour and prevent the gradual cooling of our love for God. Returning to the practices that first ignited our passion for God can help restore that initial fervour.

By consistently applying these principles—remembering our initial devotion, repenting when we drift, actively seeking God through Scripture and prayer, and engaging in Christian community—we can maintain and even deepen our love for the Lord throughout our spiritual journey. While there will be times of ardent love for God and periods of spiritual dryness or wavering, the trajectory will be upwards as we continue to pursue Him. We must guard this most important relationship with Jesus above all else, for it is the foundation of our faith and our eternal hope.

Reflection and Application:

Reflect on your current level of love for God compared to when you first believed.
Identify any areas where something else has taken God's rightful place in your life.
Commit to regular Scripture study and prayer to rekindle your spiritual passion.
Engage actively in Christian fellowship and good works to sustain your faith.