{"id":5078,"date":"2023-02-27T09:37:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T15:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/?p=5078"},"modified":"2024-08-13T14:26:06","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:26:06","slug":"have-we-lost-our-first-love-of-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-of-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Have We Lost Our First Love of Jesus?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-paragraph=\"true\">Have we lost our first love? Is our self-sufficiency robbing us of our need for daily intimacy with Jesus?\u00a0In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, &#8220;Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">While many use this verse concerning lost hearts, the sadder reality is that this verse is about a church. <i>Jesus, who died for the church and was supposed to be its beating heart, is seen locked outside the church, seeking His way back in.<\/i> So what happened? What caused this dramatic scene of waining love to push the precious Savior outside the realm of His beloved church?<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><i><strong>Three key things<\/strong><\/i> were prevalent in the Laodicean church, which also seems widespread among our current churches.<\/div>\n<h3 data-paragraph=\"true\">Christ Deficient.<\/h3>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">A door, used for gaining access or restraining entrance, is pictured here as a metaphor for restraining. Jesus\u2013the narrow Door that all must enter for salvation\u2013had been removed from the hinges, replaced by an artificial barrier keeping Him out (Matthew 25 and Luke 13). Likewise, churches worldwide have replaced the solid door of Jesus for salvation with manufactured ideas.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">These deficient gates provide nothing more than a place of entertainment. Jesus must be put back on the hinges as the only door that leads to salvation, for He did not say, &#8220;I am a way, truth for some, and partial life.&#8221; No, He declared with certainty that <strong><em>He is the soul&#8217;s sole way<\/em><\/strong> to salvation\u2013the only truth leading to eternal life.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>In our lives, is Jesus exalted above cultural norms, elevated above earthly pursuits, and esteemed above prominent leaders?<\/li>\n<li>Is Jesus enough in our lives and churches to make a difference in our world? This is a personal question with universal truth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/h3>\n<h3 data-paragraph=\"true\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5081 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-SELF-SUFFICIENCY-ROBS-OUR-LOVE-OF-JESUS-200x300.png\" alt=\"returning-to-the-first-love-of-jesus\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-SELF-SUFFICIENCY-ROBS-OUR-LOVE-OF-JESUS-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-SELF-SUFFICIENCY-ROBS-OUR-LOVE-OF-JESUS-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-SELF-SUFFICIENCY-ROBS-OUR-LOVE-OF-JESUS-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-SELF-SUFFICIENCY-ROBS-OUR-LOVE-OF-JESUS.png 467w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3 data-paragraph=\"true\">Self-sufficient.<\/h3>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">Having extreme confidence in one&#8217;s resources, abilities, and power, self-sufficiency is a misguided thought that one can supply one&#8217;s own needs without external help. Laodicea, located in modern-day Turkey, was of great commercial importance. But, by the time John wrote Revelation around A.D. 90, the Laodicean church had lost its zeal. Their problem, as Jesus stated, stemmed from prosperous wealth. In their pride, they said, &#8220;I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing&#8221; Revelation 3:17.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">Wealth&#8217;s deception had created a view that they needed nothing, but, in reality, money couldn&#8217;t buy what they needed. In five words, Jesus describes their actual condition: wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Their blindness had left them in a miserable quality of spiritual destitution and unfit for good works. The church was decadent but spiritually impoverished, and as such, they had lost the deep longing for God. Self-sufficiency began in the Garden and is always antithetical to God&#8217;s design.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>In our lives and churches, are we abiding in the shadow of the Good Gardener, or have we ventured into our own garden seeking to tend to it alone?<\/li>\n<li>Do we genuinely have a nagging need for the all-sufficient grace and fellowship of our Faithful Shepherd, or do we seek green pastures elsewhere?<\/li>\n<li>Can we go days without thinking about God, craving His nearness, or imploring His desires?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-paragraph=\"true\">Be sure to check out this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/5-signs-of-drifting-from-god\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5 Signs of Drifting from God and How To Reconnect<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 data-paragraph=\"true\">Complacent.<\/h3>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">By definition, complacency is a feeling of pleasure or security, often unaware of potential danger. Complacency extinguishes the passion for service, splinters our mission for Him, and robs us of joy. The Laodicean&#8217;s self-sufficiency had created a secure sense of being &#8220;okay.&#8221; All the while, the ravenous wolf of prosperity had destroyed their once-zealous hearts, leaving nothing but lukewarm works. Jesus says, &#8220;I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot!&#8221; (Revelation 3:15)<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">This metaphor would have been familiar to Laodiceans. While situated close to the hot springs of Heiropolis and the cool spring-fed waters of Colossae, Laodicea only received murky lukewarm water. Unlike the Living Water of Jesus, the subsequent consequence of self-sufficiency was a murky, unappealing lukewarm drink that never satisfies. In neutrality, they were abandoning the church&#8217;s mission, powerlessly unfit for God&#8217;s work, and unable to do marvelous things in His name. Complacency remains a danger to our prosperous modern-day church.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li data-paragraph=\"true\">Are we lukewarm in our pursuit of Jesus, simply checking off a Sunday box to make us feel less discomfort?<\/li>\n<li data-paragraph=\"true\">Are we rich in material goods but poor in spiritual substance?<\/li>\n<li data-paragraph=\"true\">Do we maintain a passionate and active fire for God and His work, or are we okay with spiritual baby food pedaled by a pastor?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5083 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-pin-1-200x300.png\" alt=\"We have lost something that was once so close to us. Our love for Jesus, our first love, has grown dull and weak in our hearts as we seek self-sufficiency, become complacent, and allow our love for Jesus to become lukewarm. To regain the passion and zeal for our faith in Jesus, we must return to our first love and rediscover how to live a life of obedience and devotion to Him. Find out more about how to do this by reading Returning to Jesus, Our First Love!\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-pin-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-pin-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-pin-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-pin-1.png 467w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>How do we get back to our first love, Christ?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">As followers of the Way, an accurate assessment must be made in every heart and church. In response to the Laodicean church, Jesus gave both a warning and an invitation, which remain the same for us now.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><i><strong>Admonition.<\/strong><\/i> The Laodicean church was the only church in Revelation that Jesus did not commend. Instead, He warned starkly: &#8220;Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.&#8221; Reminding them that He only disciplines out of love, He cautioned, &#8220;Be zealous and repent.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Be zealous. The Greek term &#8220;zeloo&#8221; is an active imperative &#8220;to burn to boil, to desire earnestly, and to pursue.&#8221; The idol of self (sufficiency, indulgence, etc.) must be laid on the altar. We must &#8220;boil&#8221; with a hunger and thirst for Him and earnestly pursue our first love\u2013the One who gave His life for us.<\/li>\n<li>Repent. The only way to become zealous for Jesus Christ and His mission is to repent\u2014to change one&#8217;s mind. Returning to Him, His commands, and His leading begins with confession, remembering that when we confess, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><i><strong>Invitation.<\/strong><\/i>\u00a0 Jesus, standing at the door, says, &#8220;if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with Me.&#8221; (Revelation 3:20). His rebuke always comes with a loving invitation. Like a shepherd&#8217;s voice calling his flock to green pasture, hear His gentle Shepherd voice asking to enter. Recognize His desire to come in and commune. Sense His passion for you to return to Him.<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\">Jesus alone provides true rewarding riches and the salve we need to see spiritual demise. For those who conquer, His promise remains (Revelation 3:18, 21).<\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><i>Loving Savior, you discipline those who you love. Thank you for the gentle invitation to lasting fellowship with you. Forgive my wandering passions anchored in this world and not you. Ignite a fervor for you that can be neither blown out by the winds of self-desire nor quenched by the world&#8217;s provisions. May my heart be burdened with a longing to return to you, my first love. I seek this in my Savior&#8217;s name, Jesus.<\/i><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div data-paragraph=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5085 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-COMPLACENCY-HINDERS-OUR-WALK-WITH-JESUS-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-COMPLACENCY-HINDERS-OUR-WALK-WITH-JESUS-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-COMPLACENCY-HINDERS-OUR-WALK-WITH-JESUS-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-COMPLACENCY-HINDERS-OUR-WALK-WITH-JESUS-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HOW-COMPLACENCY-HINDERS-OUR-WALK-WITH-JESUS.png 467w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have we lost our first love? Is our self-sufficiency robbing us of our need for daily intimacy with Jesus?\u00a0In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, &#8220;Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.&#8221; While many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.estherdorotik.net\/blog\/have-we-lost-our-first-love-of-jesus\/\" class=\"post-read-more\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[763,771],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultivating-faith","category-drawing-close-to-god"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Have We Lost Our First Love of Jesus? - Chosen and Cherished<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have we lost our first love? 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Our love for Jesus, our first love, has grown dull and weak in our hearts as we seek self-sufficiency, become complacent, and allow our love for Jesus to become lukewarm. To regain the passion and zeal for our faith in Jesus, we must return to our first love and rediscover how to live a life of obedience and devotion to Him. 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