Many have been swept away by the cares of life. Moved this way or that way and have neglected to dig deeper into the heart of God.

He gets the leftovers after we have tended every other thing and person that calls. He is no longer first.

Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

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. Rev 2:4-5

Prior to this statement comes a list of well-doing:

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, and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Rev 2:2-3

It seems a good thing, yes? But it’s clearly not the whole thing. Many today are focused on the end of things while overlooking the present things. Many spend much time calling other teachers and prophets out and are certain it is their duty. However, Paul had personal encounters with those he named. Personal experience. Firsthand knowledge.

What a waste of time and space when God’s people and lost lambs are waiting for us to fulfill the fast of Isaiah 58.

God certainly didn’t seem opposed to the “testing” of people, yet, He clearly was against them for not doing the “first works.” Perhaps it was priorities that were simply out of order.

The church of Jesus Christ has strayed far from the heart of Christ becoming more like the religious in His day than the man who walked the earth healing, offering new life, and setting captives free.

Our ivory towers have kept us all safe from harm. We have hidden ourselves from our own flesh when our mandate was always to go and tell, heal, and set free.

Maybe we are proud of ourselves and pride and arrogance have secretly gripped our hearts as we have cast away those God loves and spent much of our days deciding whether or not others are in full truth. The reality is, none of us are. We are all still learning.

Return to the first works friends.