How to Get back to your first love for God?
Returning to Our First Love
In the book of Habakkuk, God pronounces five woes against the Babylonians. These woes—found in Habakkuk 2:6, 9, 12, 15, and 19—were God’s declaration of judgment on a nation that had set itself against Him.
As I reflected on those woes, I asked myself a sobering question: What would God’s “woe” be to Summerbrook Church today?
That thought led me to another passage—Revelation 2:1–7. Here, Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus, one of the crown jewels of the early churches. He commends them for their hard work, perseverance, discernment, and endurance. They hated evil, stood against false teachers, and kept serving faithfully without growing weary.
But then comes the heavy word from the Lord:
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4–5)
Losing your first love is not just a small stumble—it is a lampstand-removing offense. In other words, it can cause a church to lose its light and influence in the world. That’s how serious this is.
John’s Heart for Ephesus
I love how Luke LeFevre once described this passage. He said, “You can just imagine John at that moment, hearing Jesus’ words about Ephesus. John had helped plant and shepherd that very church, working alongside Timothy. When Jesus says He has something against Ephesus, you can almost picture John asking: ‘Lord, have they fallen into false doctrine?’ But Jesus answers, ‘No, they’re testing teachers faithfully.’ Then John wonders, ‘Have they stopped serving?’ Again the answer is no—they’re still hard workers. And then Jesus gives the real issue: ‘They have lost their first love, and unless they repent, their lampstand will be removed.’”
Wow. What a powerful reminder. Even a church as prominent as Ephesus was in danger—not because they weren’t working hard, but because their love for Jesus had grown cold.
A Question for Us
So what about us? Could it be that in all of our serving, working, and doing, we too have lost the fiery, simple love we had for Jesus at first?
Here’s the challenge I want to give each of us:
Reflect on a time when you were most on fire for God.
What were you doing then? Were you worshiping freely, sharing your faith boldly, or spending time daily in God’s Word?
Are those things still part of your life today—or have you let them fade?
Write those things down. Then ask God to help you return to them. Repent, and do your first works again.
For Some, a First Love for the First Time
Maybe you’ve never had that “first love” because you’ve never truly given your life to Jesus. The Bible promises:
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
If you’re ready to begin that relationship with Him today, you can pray a simple prayer of surrender:
Lord Jesus, I believe you died and rose again for me. I confess that you are Lord. Forgive my sins, come into my life, and make me who you want me to be. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. Amen.
A Call Back to Love
Church, the message to Ephesus is the message to us: Don’t lose your first love. God is calling us back—not necessarily to more activity, but to deeper intimacy with Him and the right activities. If we will repent and return, He promises to restore the fire of our love and keep our lampstand shining brightly for His glory.
-DSB, Pastor Joey Rumble
Reflection
What about you, personally? Can you remember a season when you were most on fire for God? What were you doing then? Were you spending time in His Word? Worshiping with joy? Sharing your faith boldly?
Write those things down. Ask yourself honestly: Are those still part of my life today, or have I let them fade?
Jesus’ call is simple and clear: “Remember… repent… and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me first. Forgive me for letting my love grow cold. Help me return to the passion, joy, and intimacy I once had with You. Restore my first love, and keep my heart burning for You, always. In Jesus name, Amen.