But, we have left that first love like Ephesus, and that discourages and dampens our Lord. How often in human relationships we see a third party come into the picture to form a triangle. So that first love between husband and wife is gone. Even broken marriages in ministers' lives, and the consequence of many fallen by the wayside. Love is lacking.
Love is no more.
Without that first, fervent love, we will not make it to success in our Christian ministry. As we review the five steps of Peter's following, let us also stress the negative side of following. If we are to follow in the way to success in the Christian ministry, we have plenty to forsake. We must, a second time, be examined in regard to riches, forsake the love of self that smothers the first love we had for Him. He followed Christ to the very end.