When a Thriving Church Loses Its First Love

The Warning to Ephesus

The church in Ephesus was one of the strongest in its time. They were recognized for their hard work, perseverance, and steadfastness in truth. The Lord Himself said:

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance… You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." — Revelation 2:2–3

Yet despite all of this, Jesus said something devastating.

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." — Revelation 2:4

Bible scholar A.T. Robertson described it this way: their love, once vibrant proof of new life in Christ, had cooled - even though their doctrine was still pure.

John Stott wrote, “They had fallen from the early heights of devotion to Christ… they had descended to the plains of mediocrity.”

It’s sobering to realize that a church can be doctrinally correct yet spiritually cold. The same thing can happen to us. We might hold all the right beliefs, serve faithfully, and still lose the warmth of our devotion.

Call to Action: Reflect - am I holding onto truth but losing my tenderness toward Jesus? Take a few minutes today to pray, “Lord, rekindle my first love for You.”