Why is having a first love for Christ important for Christians?

The first love reflects the initial fervor and zeal experienced when one first comes to faith. In Revelation 2:4, Christ admonishes the church in Ephesus for forsaking their first love despite their doctrinal accuracy. This illustrates that faith should not merely be about knowledge or works, but about a heartfelt relationship with Jesus. When believers lose this first love, they risk becoming mechanical in their faith, leading to a coldness and routine devoid of passion. A vibrant love for Christ encourages us to live out His teachings and naturally leads to a desire to share that love with others.