Scripture: Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Devotional: You’ve likely had a time in your life when you have worked incredibly hard. Perhaps it was in a job that you had, work that you did on a mission trip, or even to try to win the approval of someone else. You may have persevered through a difficult season and been patient while waiting for it to change. Having this type of attitude and grit is certainly commendable. It is what Jesus identified as the strengths of the church of Ephesus.
However, endurance and hard work alone do not save. Yes, there are certain acts and things that we should desire to do when we know Jesus as our Savior. However, we know that it is by grace alone through faith alone that we are saved. So, when the church at Ephesus lost sight of Jesus being first in their life and put their focus on hard work, they were condemned for it. What does that look like in your life? Are you like the members of the church of Ephesus, forsaking Jesus as your first love?
Perhaps you volunteer at church every single week and have unintentionally put your hope of eternal life in how much you do for the Lord. Or perhaps you spend your time making sure that people are teaching the Word of God of truthfully, but you haven’t actually spent any time in the Word yourself recently. Perhaps you have been so busy leading a ministry, whether at church or in your own life, that you haven’t given any time or space to be in prayer and rest in His presence. You’ve lost your first love.
But Jesus gives the commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And He called this the greatest commandment. The greatest commandment is not to volunteer all of your time, start a new ministry, or hold people accountable for sin in their life. The greatest commandment is to love God wholeheartedly. It’s time we remember our first love in Jesus. He is the reason we do what we do. It is time for us to evaluate our lives and put Him back on the throne of our hearts.
Reflect:
- Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of your faith?
- What steps might you take to help put Jesus back at the center of all of your actions?