WHEN THE HONEYMOON IS OVER
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
~Jesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Honeymoon -
a period of harmony immediately following marriage
a period of unusual harmony especially following the establishment of a new relationship
a trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
You can work diligently, endure hardships, and persevere, and the honeymoon can be over. (vss. 2, 3, 4)
You can refuse to tolerate sin, and the honeymoon can be over. (vs. 2)
You can believe all the right things, and the honeymoon can be over. (vs. 2)
A church that no longer loves Jesus like they did at first will be closed by him. (vs. 5)
Jesus’ marriage advice to his bride (verse 5) -
Remember the honeymoon - Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Note: More people have died descending Mt. Everest than ascending it.
Turn away from what has taken your attention - Repent
Mark 4:19 - But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Renew your vows - do the things you did at first.
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him,
in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others,
keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?