Typically, when thinking about your first your love, fuzzy feelings and memories of your grade school sweetheart come to mind. All the way from the other side of the world, Christian rock band Redruth would like to offer a different way of thinking about it.
The Australian band, formed by twin brothers Stephen and Keith Heffernan back in 2007, uses its hit song, “First Love,” to speak of one’s first love in the context of priority, not historical order.
(Click here to watch Redruth's "First Love" music video)
Known for their self-described “blend of rock, pop, acoustic, with a lot of heart and purpose” sound, they’re aiming to change hearts with this one.
In a recent BREATHEcast interview, lead vocalist for the group, Stephen Heffernan, spoke about the concept of “First Love,” how he came to Christ, and more.
BC: What’s the story behind the song, “First Love”?
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Stephen: When you read the red letters of Jesus, he makes it pretty clear who comes first in our lives. With God it’s all or nothing. There’s no compromise. When we put anything or anyone as first place instead of Him, we will cut ourselves off from God. So many people struggle with their relationship with God, feeling distant, ashamed, like something’s missing. Putting God first, loving Him before all else is what fixes it. I had the concept for First Love in my heart for a few months, as I was thinking about how often I’d see Christians who once were so on fire for God, but seem to lose their heart and passion for God. What happened? It’s the love of the world, the love of other things, prioritizing other things, people, work and stuff before God. I love what 1 John 2:15-17 says:
“Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world – wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important – has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out; but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.”
What we wanted was a song that basically said, you’ve lost something. Things between you and God have changed, and it’s because you’ve let something take His place in your heart. But there’s good news! You can get it back! Just ask forgiveness and repent, get in the Word and keep Him first place in your life. You’ll start living the life he intended for you.
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