Psalm 122:1–4 is an anchor scripture for First Love. “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem— Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united, where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up to give thanks to the name of the Lord. (This is an ordinance for Israel.)” (CSB)

This passage paints a beautiful picture of a united Israel: all of the tribes rejoicing and praising God together as one people. In regards to their differences, the twelve tribes were not unlike modern churches today. Some tribes had great wealth, while other tribes had just enough to get by. There were strong tribes filled with mighty warriors, and others who were weaker. Some had influence in surrounding lands, while others were small and seemingly insignificant. Even their accents, the color of their skin, and some traditions were different. Yet, here the Psalmist tells us of the ordinance the Lord handed down for the twelve tribes: come together as one to worship God.

Verse three says, “Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united…” This was not a description, but an ordinance. Is the Church today upholding this ordinance? Could we reword that verse to say, “The Church, built as a city should be, solidly united…”? The answer is heartbreaking. While we, the Church, give the appearance of being “solidly united,” we are not. We are not “built as a city should be.” The American Church today is divided. We fight over territory and people. We fight and debate and insult over doctrine. We criticize each other more severely than the world criticizes us! Instead of rejoicing together, we give thanks separately. 

First Love was birthed out of passion for the Church. We support Her and believe in Her God-given purpose. However, we must put aside our differences and come together as God has ordained if we are to fulfill His mission on earth.

God’s desire is to see His Church solidly united. Cities are changed, people find Jesus, and community leaders take notice when the local church stands together to glorify God, reach the lost, and serve their communities together.

What does a solidly united Church look like? 

Acts 2:44-47 says, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

We believe that one of the main reasons the New Testament Church grew so rapidly is that they were returning to the ordinance God had previously given: gather and worship together as one people, solidly united. God’s greatest blessing is given to His people who come together to worship Him in unity.

This is why we do what we do! As we work with pastors and leaders, we are bringing God’s word of returning to our First Love and returning to our first works. It begins with pastors and leaders, then extends to individuals and families.

First and foremost, the call to return begins with returning to our own passionate pursuit of Christ. It continues with the call to return to scripture-based marriages, families, business dealings, and treatment of one another. The call to return costs us everything, but it is the only way to see our families, churches, and communities find healing and experience the fullness of God’s blessings.