You probably remember the moment when you first encountered Jesus as your savior. Maybe it was at an altar call in a church setting, maybe it was in a hospital room, or alone in your car, or at coffee with a friend. That moment marks the turning point of your life. Your story is now divided into two parts: pre-Jesus and post-Jesus.

The Christian life is marked with moments when we have to return to the moment and remember the difference Jesus made in our lives, that he really is and always will be our first love.

You are still my first love
And all I am is yours
You are still my anchor
Forever I’m secure

The Book of Revelation warns against abandoning our first love. In reference to the church at Ephesus, it says, “…you have persevered, and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 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.” (Rev. 2:3-5)

The church at Ephesus had been doing good works for the gospel, but they had lost the heart behind it, the reason they were working for the gospel in the first place. They had left their first love, and when we do this, no matter how much “good” we’re doing, our attempts are in vain. First Corinthians explains, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3)

Oh, how I love you, Jesus
You are my greatest joy
How I adore you, Jesus
Oh, my soul rejoice

Christ is the reason and the force behind all we do. We feel this strongly at the beginning of our Christian journey. We are in love with Jesus and do things out of that place of love. As time goes by, however, we slip into performing out of obligation or to look good to others.

If this is the pattern you find yourself in today, take this opportunity to stop and remember why we do good. Return to that moment you first met Jesus and the passion and desire it stirred in you. No matter how much time has passed since then, no matter what’s transpired, he is still and always will be your first love.

Based on the song First Love by Chris Tomlin featuring Kim Walker-Smith. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Never Lose Sight.