September 17

Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. - Revelation 2:5.

THIS admonition includes three things. It enforces, first, Recollection: “Remember whence thou art fallen.” All religion begins in serious thought: “I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” There is nothing more useful than self-recollection. There is no means better adapted for reviving the soul than a review of former experience. It is therefore the very thing the Apostle makes use of to the fallen Galatians: “Where is the blessedness of which you spake?” as if he had said, “Have you gained anything by the exchange?” and in this case, sanctified recollection was the means employed to restore this church to her first love.

Secondly, It enjoins repentance. We are to view it as a state full of self-condemnation, self-abhorrence, and grief. This is enjoined not only on sinners, but also on saints, and they will be the subjects of it as long as they remain in the world, as long as the performance of duty has a deficiency in it; and how much of this does the believer discover if he looks back only a week, a day, or on a single exercise of religious worship. Some may think Christians thus circumstanced must live a very deplorable life; but he is never more blessed than when he can feel: indifference arises from our insensibility. The Christian’s repenting day’s he call his best days; he finds that to be the most blessed state, when he is under the cross pouring forth blessed tears of sorrow and joy, while he beholds him who was pierced by him and for him.

Thirdly, It enjoins upon us renewed obedience; “do the first works;” begin again, be as simple, as earnest, as patient, as circumspect, as at first. There had been a manifest declension in those performances which had previously distinguished this church. This is obvious by the reproof, Thou hast left thy first love, being followed immediately by this admonition, “Do the first works:” they abounded before in works, in labour, in patience, in faithfulness, in zeal; and they had long persevered in all these, and were actuated by a regard to his dear name. This was “their first love,” and these their “first works.” Now there was a deplorable declension; and the Saviour here enjoins a return to their former love and service. And as the Saviour demands this, so we must acknowledge he deserves it.

Provision is made not only for a Christian’s perseverance in the ways of God, but for his increase; and this is commanded, “Give all diligence to add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.”