REVIVING YOUR FIRST LOVE FOR GOD

BIBLE STUDY: REVIVING YOUR FIRST LOVE FOR GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Revelation 2:4-5
“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.”

Supporting Texts:
Deuteronomy 6:5
Matthew 22:37
Jeremiah 2:2
Mark 12:30
1 John 4:19
Psalm 51:10-12

INTRODUCTION:

In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus rebukes the church in Ephesus for abandoning their first love. This passage serves as a reminder for every believer to evaluate their relationship with God. The first love represents the passionate devotion and fervent affection we once had for God when we first experienced His grace and love. However, over time, distractions, sin, or complacency can lead to a diminishing of that initial fire. This Bible study explores how we can revive our first love for God and return to a place of deep intimacy with Him.

1. WHAT IS THE FIRST LOVE?

The first love refers to the fervent devotion, passion, and commitment a believer has for God when they first come to faith.

a) It is a wholehearted love for God, placing Him above all else (Deuteronomy 6:5).

b) The first love is characterised by obedience, service, and a desire to please God (John 14:15).

c) It involves delighting in God's presence, seeking Him above everything (Psalm 37:4).

d) A life driven by the first love is one of spiritual fervour, constantly yearning for more of God (Matthew 22:37).

e) The first love is founded on the love God first showed us (1 John 4:19).

Biblical Example:
In Jeremiah 2:2, God recalls the early love Israel had for Him when He first delivered them from Egypt. They followed Him with eagerness and devotion, but over time, they drifted away from that passionate pursuit. This serves as a parallel to many believers who start strong in their faith but lose their spiritual zeal over time.

2. SIGNS THAT YOUR FIRST LOVE HAS FADED

There are several indicators that a believer may have drifted away from their first love for God.

a) Diminished desire for prayer and Bible study (Psalm 119:10-11).

b) Growing complacency in spiritual matters (Romans 12:11).

c) Lack of excitement for worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).

d) Becoming more concerned with worldly affairs than with God’s Kingdom (1 John 2:15).

e) Decreased sensitivity to sin and compromise (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Biblical Example:
The church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-5) was once full of passion and devotion, but they became focused on works, orthodoxy, and doctrines while neglecting their love for God. Though their actions were right, their hearts had grown cold. This is a warning to all believers that busyness in ministry without love for God is not enough.

3. STEPS TO REVIVING YOUR FIRST LOVE

Returning to your first love requires intentional action and spiritual renewal.

a) Remember where you have fallen: Take time to reflect on your spiritual condition and recognise the areas where you have drifted (Revelation 2:5a).

b) Repent: Confess your lukewarmness to God and ask for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). True repentance brings restoration (2 Chronicles 7:14).

c) Do the first works: Return to the spiritual disciplines that nurtured your love for God initially—prayer, worship, Bible study, and service (Revelation 2:5b).

d) Seek God with all your heart: Reignite your passion by spending quality time in God’s presence (Jeremiah 29:13).

e) Guard your heart against distractions: Eliminate things that pull you away from God (Proverbs 4:23). Prioritise your relationship with Him above all else.

Biblical Example:
King David is a powerful example of someone who experienced spiritual renewal. After his sin with Bathsheba, he cried out for God to restore the joy of His salvation (Psalm 51:10-12). David recognised his need for repentance and restoration, and God renewed his heart and passion for Him.

4. LIVING DAILY IN YOUR FIRST LOVE

Maintaining your first love for God is a daily commitment that requires discipline and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

a) Daily communion with God through prayer and Bible study keeps your heart aligned with Him (John 15:4-5).

b) Constant self-examination allows you to identify areas where your love may be growing cold (2 Corinthians 13:5).

c) Cultivate a lifestyle of worship and thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This keeps your heart focused on God’s goodness.

d) Fellowship with other believers who encourage you to stay spiritually fervent (Hebrews 10:24-25).

e) Walk in the Spirit, yielding to His guidance to keep your love for God burning (Galatians 5:16).

Biblical Example:
The apostle Paul lived a life of continuous devotion to God, even in the face of trials. His love for Christ never diminished. In Philippians 3:10, he expressed a deep desire to know Christ more intimately, showing that even in the later stages of his ministry, his passion for God remained strong.

CONCLUSION:

Reviving your first love for God is crucial for maintaining a vibrant and meaningful relationship with Him. It begins with recognising where you have drifted, repenting, and returning to the spiritual practices that once drew you closer to God. By doing so, you will reignite the passion and devotion that pleases God and experience the fullness of His presence in your life.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, restore my passion and love for You.

2. Father, forgive me for allowing my love for You to grow cold.

3. Holy Spirit, ignite a fresh fire in my heart for God.

4. Father, help me to return to the spiritual disciplines that once nurtured my love for You.

5. Lord, remove every distraction that pulls me away from You.

6. Help me to live daily in a state of constant communion with You.

7. Lord, give me the grace to guard my heart against spiritual complacency.

8. Father, restore the joy of my salvation and renew my zeal for Your work.

9. Holy Spirit, empower me to walk in love, obedience, and devotion to God.

10. Lord, may I never lose my first love for You, even as I grow in my walk of faith.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. Your love for God will be reignited with fresh fire today!

2. You will walk in daily communion with the Lord, and your heart will be filled with passion for Him.

3. Every distraction pulling you away from God is removed in Jesus' name!

4. The joy of your salvation is being restored, and your spirit is revived!

5. Your heart will overflow with love for God, and nothing will quench that fire.

6. As you seek God, you will find Him, and your relationship with Him will deepen.

7. You will never be spiritually complacent; your zeal for God will burn brighter every day.

8. You are entering a new season of spiritual revival and renewal in Jesus' name!

9. The works of the enemy that try to cool your love for God are defeated.

10. You will finish your race strong, fully devoted to God until the end.