Have We Lost Our First Love of Jesus?

Have we lost our first love? Is our self-sufficiency robbing us of our need for daily intimacy with Jesus? In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.”

While many use this verse concerning lost hearts, the sadder reality is that this verse is about a church. Jesus, who died for the church and was supposed to be its beating heart, is seen locked outside the church, seeking His way back in. So what happened? What caused this dramatic scene of waining love to push the precious Savior outside the realm of His beloved church?

Three key things were prevalent in the Laodicean church, which also seems widespread among our current churches.

Christ Deficient.

A door, used for gaining access or restraining entrance, is pictured here as a metaphor for restraining. Jesus–the narrow Door that all must enter for salvation–had been removed from the hinges, replaced by an artificial barrier keeping Him out (Matthew 25 and Luke 13). Likewise, churches worldwide have replaced the solid door of Jesus for salvation with manufactured ideas.

These deficient gates provide nothing more than a place of entertainment. Jesus must be put back on the hinges as the only door that leads to salvation, for He did not say, “I am a way, truth for some, and partial life.” No, He declared with certainty that He is the soul’s sole way to salvation–the only truth leading to eternal life.

In our lives, is Jesus exalted above cultural norms, elevated above earthly pursuits, and esteemed above prominent leaders?
Is Jesus enough in our lives and churches to make a difference in our world? This is a personal question with universal truth.

Self-sufficient.

Having extreme confidence in one’s resources, abilities, and power, self-sufficiency is a misguided thought that one can supply one’s own needs without external help. Laodicea, located in modern-day Turkey, was of great commercial importance. But, by the time John wrote Revelation around A.D. 90, the Laodicean church had lost its zeal. Their problem, as Jesus stated, stemmed from prosperous wealth. In their pride, they said, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” Revelation 3:17.

Wealth’s deception had created a view that they needed nothing, but, in reality, money couldn’t buy what they needed. In five words, Jesus describes their actual condition: wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Their blindness had left them in a miserable quality of spiritual destitution and unfit for good works. The church was decadent but spiritually impoverished, and as such, they had lost the deep longing for God. Self-sufficiency began in the Garden and is always antithetical to God’s design.

In our lives and churches, are we abiding in the shadow of the Good Gardener, or have we ventured into our own garden seeking to tend to it alone?
Do we genuinely have a nagging need for the all-sufficient grace and fellowship of our Faithful Shepherd, or do we seek green pastures elsewhere?
Can we go days without thinking about God, craving His nearness, or imploring His desires?

Be sure to check out this post on 5 Signs of Drifting from God and How To Reconnect.

Complacent.

By definition, complacency is a feeling of pleasure or security, often unaware of potential danger. Complacency extinguishes the passion for service, splinters our mission for Him, and robs us of joy. The Laodicean’s self-sufficiency had created a secure sense of being “okay.” All the while, the ravenous wolf of prosperity had destroyed their once-zealous hearts, leaving nothing but lukewarm works. Jesus says, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot!” (Revelation 3:15)

This metaphor would have been familiar to Laodiceans. While situated close to the hot springs of Heiropolis and the cool spring-fed waters of Colossae, Laodicea only received murky lukewarm water. Unlike the Living Water of Jesus, the subsequent consequence of self-sufficiency was a murky, unappealing lukewarm drink that never satisfies. In neutrality, they were abandoning the church’s mission, powerlessly unfit for God’s work, and unable to do marvelous things in His name. Complacency remains a danger to our prosperous modern-day church.

Are we lukewarm in our pursuit of Jesus, simply checking off a Sunday box to make us feel less discomfort?
Are we rich in material goods but poor in spiritual substance?
Do we maintain a passionate and active fire for God and His work, or are we okay with spiritual baby food pedaled by a pastor?

How do we get back to our first love, Christ?

As followers of the Way, an accurate assessment must be made in every heart and church. In response to the Laodicean church, Jesus gave both a warning and an invitation, which remain the same for us now.

Admonition. The Laodicean church was the only church in Revelation that Jesus did not commend. Instead, He warned starkly: “Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Reminding them that He only disciplines out of love, He cautioned, “Be zealous and repent.”

Be zealous. The Greek term “zeloo” is an active imperative “to burn to boil, to desire earnestly, and to pursue.” The idol of self (sufficiency, indulgence, etc.) must be laid on the altar. We must “boil” with a hunger and thirst for Him and earnestly pursue our first love–the One who gave His life for us.
Repent. The only way to become zealous for Jesus Christ and His mission is to repent—to change one’s mind. Returning to Him, His commands, and His leading begins with confession, remembering that when we confess, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).

Invitation. Jesus, standing at the door, says, “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20). His rebuke always comes with a loving invitation. Like a shepherd’s voice calling his flock to green pasture, hear His gentle Shepherd voice asking to enter. Recognize His desire to come in and commune. Sense His passion for you to return to Him.

Jesus alone provides true rewarding riches and the salve we need to see spiritual demise. For those who conquer, His promise remains (Revelation 3:18, 21).

Loving Savior, you discipline those who you love. Thank you for the gentle invitation to lasting fellowship with you. Forgive my wandering passions anchored in this world and not you. Ignite a fervor for you that can be neither blown out by the winds of self-desire nor quenched by the world’s provisions. May my heart be burdened with a longing to return to you, my first love. I seek this in my Savior’s name, Jesus.