See the Seriousness

“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.” Revelation 2:4-5.

Leaving your first love is a very serious matter; it is so serious because nothing can replace it. The man to whom this was written had been an excellent, “first-class” brother whose works were once permeated by this first, pure, glowing love for God and people. Hu­manly speaking, he was not a bad brother even when he received this letter. On the contrary, he worked much and he also had a thorough knowledge of the doctrine. In spite of all these qualities, he had fallen so deeply in God’s eyes, that there was only one thing for him to do: repent and do the first works. His works and his good “virtues” were not only “not perfect” they were completely useless. The man’s very heart and state of mind were in need of a thorough renewal.

First the natural, then the spiritual. It happens that a marriage that began with a sincere warmth and devotion to each other can be­come stiff after some years. The marriage appears nice on the outside, but the spouses’ hearts are miles apart. Such was the state of this man’s heart-relationship to Christ. His relationship to Christ had be­come cold; he had transferred his warmth to his works instead of be­ing in Christ.

Dear brothers and sisters, this is very serious! Let us test our­selves before Him whose eyes are like flames of fire and who searches our hearts and minds. One can read God’s Word regularly but not be apprehended by it. One can be very punctual and precise in attending the meetings, and yet not have a sincere longing to be there. One no longer sees the knowledge of God in the face of Christ radiating from the brothers and sisters. But how was it when we were newly con­verted and fervent in spirit? Did not our hearts burn within us at the thought of the brothers? We showed a living interest and followed along avidly in order to lay hold of everything. The Word was like honey from the rock and balsam for open wounds. We have fallen away if we are not in a state that corresponds with the spirit in these examples. However, even though this man had fallen so deeply, by loving the creation instead of the Creator, his lampstand was still not moved.

At the same time, we gain insight into God’s infinite longsuffering and love for mankind. He had fallen away little by little, ac­cording to all the wiles of the devil, but he was not aware of his true state until he received this letter from Jesus.

Therefore it is good if every message we hear has the sword in it. God has granted us this great privilege of approaching the lampstand. If we are preserved in the first love, it will be granted to us to go the way that leads into the Most Holy Place. There is no lampstand in the outer court, where sin—after it has become manifest through works—is held up to the light.