Do the First Works!

Do the First Works!

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev. 2:4. What a direct exhortation the leader of the church in Ephesus received here.

For some time Jesus had noticed that this brother’s burning love had been waning— love for Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Little by little he had turned away from this way, which only the Spirit of truth can lead us on. He had stopped doing one thing only: forgetting those things which are behind and pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God. He had not remained in that perfect attitude of mind, as Paul did throughout his life. Instead, he most likely became increasingly preoccupied with the things he did, was praised for, and heard his name mentioned in connection with.

Jesus also confirmed that this brother had worked hard for His name’s sake and had patiently borne burdens. Many in the church probably regarded him as a pillar who would never waver, but Jesus warned that his lampstand would be removed shortly after this exhortation if he did not repent. After that, his opportunity to see himself would be gone. In this condition he was in fact already cut off from the spiritual fellowship with his brothers and sisters who were in this burning love. Up to this point Jesus had given him time to receive the exhortations and to judge himself. But now that he had heard the exhortation—in which Jesus knew exactly how things were with him—he had to repent quickly. V. 5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly.”

In our first works we judge ourselves. In our first works we do not think that we deserve to be blessed. In our first works we regard ourselves as being least, and therefore we always receive something from others’ faith. We speak from our faith, not from our knowledge. Rom. 1:12.

If I do not already see the importance of these first works—which Jesus here states plainly is all that matters to Him—then my first love is in fact about to die out, or has already died out. If I have an ear to hear what the Spirit has said to the brothers and sisters in the church, then I have a wholehearted desire to learn from it!