As we make our way through the seven churches Jesus speaks about in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we need to take a long look at our own lives and see where we fit. I believe the church at Ephesus fits modern-day Christianity best.
In chapter 2, Jesus begins by acknowledging the Ephesian church for its steadfast endurance, hard work, and refusal to tolerate evil or false teachers. They faced constant pressure and temptation due to their nearness to the Roman Empire. Yet despite many challenges, they remained doctrinally sound and persistent in their work for the Lord. They did not quit!
Revelation 2:1-3 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted”
The average person would think they were exactly what God wanted. They had knowledge, and they put that knowledge into work in the ministries of the church. However, somewhere in the middle of doing good and standing firm in the Word, they had shifted their devotion from a heart overflowing with love for God into routine obedience and obligated duty. They maintained the structure and standards of faith, but their love had shifted from a burning desire to please their Lord to a cooled-off relationship. Their indictment comes in verse 4. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:33 to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” Paul wrote in Colossians 1:18 that Christ must have preeminence in our lives. This means He is above everything else. He gets first place in our time, finances, our love, and our relationships. He comes first!
Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
While sound doctrine and service are essential to furthering the gospel, and you cannot love without service, John 14:15 shows that service must flow from genuine love. Otherwise, it becomes a legalistic, empty routine.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
While it is easy to go through the motions by attending services, doing good deeds, and holding correct views, it is easy to lose the passion we had when we first became a Christian. We must fight the flesh and be intentional in our relationship with God. Nothing should take the place of your time in prayer and in the Word. If you feel you are further from God than you once were, there are steps you can take to regain vibrant growth and love for Him.
First, take time to remember the love you felt when you first met Jesus. For me, it was a feeling of freedom, peace, and overwhelming joy. Second, you need to repent of the indifference that has taken place in your heart and mind. Ask God to show you where you started to slide downhill away from Him. I John 1:9 was written to Christians “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Third, take stock daily of your walk with God. I know that sounds unnecessary if you’ve already done 1 and 2, but we all need to self-examine our lives to avoid losing our first love. Verse 5 teaches us to remember where we were and where we are.
Revelation 2:5-7 “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
God is giving you the opportunity today to take stock of your life. Are your current acts of service and devotion driven by a vibrant, personal love for God, or have they become routine habits? Take time to reconnect with the ultimate reason for your faith, the love demonstrated to you, and let that love renew your service and worship. For He is worthy!
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
