DAY 8

Ephesus – The Church That Lost Its First Love

‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work, your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favour: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious [overcomes], I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1-7 (NIVUK)

REFLECTION

The church in Ephesus was commended for many things; their actions, their hard work, and their diligence in sticking to the truth. Jesus particularly commends them for rejecting the practices of the Nicolaitans, a group of early Christians who suggested that believers could still participate in pagan practices and engage in sexual immorality. 

However, even though the church’s theology was strong, their discernment was sharp, and their endurance was impressive, the words of Jesus cut right to the heart of what was really going on in these individual’s lives, ‘Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first.’ (v.4a). This is not a minor correction. Jesus doesn’t say, 'You could do a bit better.' He says, 'You have forsaken the love you had at first.' The church hadn’t abandoned faith, but they had abandoned affection. They were orthodox, but no longer intimate. They worked for Jesus but no longer burned with love for Jesus.

To be overcomers, we must guard our hearts. Good deeds, sound doctrine, and spiritual endurance matter but none can replace our love for Jesus. Jesus called the church to, ‘Repent, and do the things you did at first.’ (v.4b). This is not to make us feel guilty but rather to return to the thing that is most important. When Jesus was asked by one of the teachers of the law which was the most important commandment, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30-31 (NIVUK)

Jesus wants your heart before your hands. Remember back to when you first saw His grace, first felt His love, first wept in worship. Return there.

Devotional

by Dave Smith

 

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