Revelation 2:4 –
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”
This chapter addresses the 7 churches, each individually, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. If you look on the map these “churches” were very close to each other on the western tip of what is now Turkey. So I wonder if this is a vision, was it intended for addressing them at that specific time or for the church as a whole during the “end times”. As we dig into this chapter we like to read into the book as much as we can to see if we can find relationships to today. Hence where Revelation is a difficult book to read and comprehend.
Looking at each address you will find a positive mention of the church and then a complaint. This one caught me since it is probably like a majority of long standing Christians. We get all fired up to follow Jesus, and as the years wear on we get disillusioned that our expectations don’t meet actuality. We think that we should have more, or not have problems or have some great ability to minister to people, but end up in the mundane. The relationship becomes tarnished and routine, with love leaving.
We see this all the time in marriages where everyone thinks it needs to be a honeymoon each and every day. The spark is not there after the years and love gets forgotten. Many seek that spark elsewhere and destroy a marriage, while others do the “right” thing and muddle through it unhappy and unloved. Again our expectations don’t meet the actuality of life and we lose our passion.
Our lives can move from passion to the mundane over time, but we can to do two things to stop that. First we need to be aware of God in our lives, if you notice him more and more your relationship will grow. Don’t take for granted the little things in life and your passion can remain strong. Follow His lead more and you will be shocked at what happens!
Second, seek God and be committed to Him no matter what “feelings” you may have. For those who have been on board for some time, you know I bounce all over the place emotionally. Many times I will not “feel” it and just be writing without passion. I continue no matter what, because I know that spark will always be there I just need to keep fanning it. The Righteous Brothers song “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” comes to mind and this verse is a reminder not to let that passion go!