Hebrews 10:32-39, The Importance of Looking Back (2)

The problem for the Church at Ephesus in Rev. 2:1-7 was that they had left their first love.  They lost the love they had when they first came to Christ.  What might this look like?   I cannot answer that question for you.  But I can give you some ideas by relating to you things in my life and ministry as a pastor that I took to be indications that I was losing my first love.  Perhaps it will help you in recognizing this problem that seems to creep into the life of a believer.  I found myself …

·       Assuming the pressure of jobs which should be delegated.  In Acts 6 the elders at the Jerusalem Church (the Apostles) delegated the care for the widows to Deacons, lest they, the Elders, take away from the ministry of the word of God.

·       Being so busy working for God that I was no longer able to enjoy fellowship with God. 

·       Expecting workers to build the organization (the local church) rather than designing the organization to build the workers.  The pattern of church ministry in Eph. 4:11-16 does that.  When the leadership is “word oriented” in their ministry they are equipping the members for the ministry.

·       Neglecting the needs and pressures of those closest to me, assuming they would understand.  It is possible to see numbers being added to the flock while the flock is actually weakening because the sheep are not growing spiritually.

·       Allowing those around me to lose the joy of the Lord under sustained pressure. 

·       Setting up numerical or financial goals rather than focusing on precise spiritual achievements.

Perhaps you can see what can happen in a church.  In its beginnings the church has a zeal that comes from the heart to know and grow in Christ.  This zeal, since it involves a group of people, manifests itself in some organized ministries.  The church goes through some tough times, but the difficulties only make it grow.  They become the “testimonies” of God’s grace and power.  But as time goes on, the emphasis shifts to maintaining the organization.  The love of Christ that compelled us at first is replaced by duty (it’s my obligation) or custom (it’s what we do) or repetition (it’s the way we’ve always done it) or convenience (it’s the way less complicated).

On the other hand, consider the value of remembering those early days.  In todays passage was a somewhat detailed call to remember the first days.  Meditate on each of the lines in Heb. 10:32-34.

·       Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,

·       When you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 

·       Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;

·       At other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 

·       You sympathized with those in prison

·       And joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,

·       Because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 

There are six lines that speak of the great sacrifices made and victories won.  And there is one line that explains what made it all possible.  That line, you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions, is synonymous with, your first love.  The writer is reminding these people of what they had that they now seem to have lost.

Looking back is not the sum total of the way to return to your first love.  In Rev. 2 Christ also tells the Ephesians they will need to repent and repeat.  But first, He calls them to remember.  Remember from where you have fallen.