The church at Ephesus had much to commend it: hard work, perseverance, doctrinal purity, rejection of false apostles. Yet Christ had one devastating critique—they had abandoned their first love. Orthodox doctrine and diligent service had continued, but the passionate love for God that once motivated everything had grown cold. They were doing right things with wrong hearts.

This week we explored loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We learned from Deuteronomy that God desires total, unreserved love touching every area of life. Through C.S. Lewis's conversion, we saw that our love for God is always responsive—we love Him because He first loved us. Jesus taught us that genuine love produces obedience, not as cold duty but as joyful devotion. Jim Elliot's sacrifice demonstrated what it means to desire God above all earthly treasures. Mark reminded us that loving God engages every faculty: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Now Christ's warning to Ephesus calls us to examine our own hearts. Have we maintained religious routines while losing our first love?

Christ's remedy is pointed: remember, repent, and return. Remember when your love for God was fresh and fervent, when knowing Him thrilled your soul, when worship wasn't duty but delight. Then repent—acknowledge that losing this love is serious sin, not merely unfortunate drift. Finally, return to "the first works"—not just the activities but the heart that motivated them. This warning speaks powerfully to modern Christianity. We can maintain religious routines, defend correct theology, and engage in Christian service while our hearts grow cold toward God Himself. We're so busy doing things for God that we neglect communion with God. The solution isn't abandoning truth or service but recovering love as the wellspring from which they flow. When we love God supremely, doctrine matters because we want to know Him accurately. Service delights because it expresses devotion.

"Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship." (Ellen G. White)

Prayer: Lord, rekindle our first love for You. May our hearts burn with fresh devotion, our minds engage deeply with Your truth, and our lives demonstrate wholehearted love. Help us to love You supremely with heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.