Hillsong Young And Free - First Love Lyrics

First Love

First Love Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Released on November 2, 2018, Hillsong Young & Free's song "First Love" arrives as a vibrant call back to the essential connection with God. The piece speaks directly to a spiritual state that many encounter: having drifted from the initial passion and singular focus that marked the beginning of their faith journey. It’s not a lament, but an invitation – a stirring reminder of the profound joy and simplicity found in prioritizing intimacy with the divine above all else. The story behind such a song likely stems from observing or experiencing this spiritual cooling, a common challenge acknowledged throughout Christian history, and a desire to reignite that foundational relationship which is meant to be the wellspring of all life and service.

Analyzing the song, its strength lies in capturing the energetic, youthful spirit typical of Young & Free while anchoring it to a timeless biblical truth. Musically, it employs infectious rhythms and soaring melodies that feel like an urgent, hopeful pursuit. This isn't just sound; it's designed to feel like a spiritual sprint back towards God, urging listeners out of complacency. The core message resonates deeply with the caution given in Revelation 2:4-5 to the church in Ephesus, where they are commended for many good works but warned, "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent." The song serves as a musical echo of this divine counsel, prompting a remembrance of the initial encounter with grace and a call to return to the actions and affection that defined that early walk.

This theme of returning to "first love" isn't merely about sentimentality; it's about restoring the proper order of devotion. The Bible consistently elevates loving God as the primary commandment. Jesus Himself affirmed this in Matthew 22:37-38, stating, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment." The song implicitly calls us back to this foundational truth – that everything flows from a heart wholly devoted to God. It reminds us that our activity, our service, our very existence in faith, should be motivated and sustained by this central affection, not just duty or habit. Furthermore, the song points towards the *source* of this love, aligning with 1 John 4:19, which says, "We love, because He first loved us." Our ability and desire to return to our first love for God are rooted in His unchanging, initiating love for us. It's His pursuit that enables our return. This song, through its energetic plea, embodies that spiritual movement back towards the One who is the ultimate object and source of all love, encouraging people to discard distractions and re-center their lives on Christ, just as Jeremiah 24:7 speaks of God giving a heart to know Him, that they may return to Him with their whole heart. It’s a powerful, engaging reminder that spiritual vitality is intimately linked to the heat and focus of our initial, all-consuming love for the Savior.