Revelation 2:1-3 The Letter to Ephesus “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise. poised poizd/ adjective
Who wouldn't want to be part of this church. They seem to have it all together. Jesus says He knows their works, labor, endurance, they cannot tolerate evil and they test those who call themselves apostles all this because of Jesus name. It is incredible what we are willing to do for Jesus. Many believers will, with good intentions, pull themselves up by their bootstraps and start stripping away what they know they should and start substituting it with activity in and out of the church believing behavior modification equals sanctification. To do what we know is right, even because of Jesus, is different than real heart change that leads to sanctification (being set apart) as we abide or make our home in Jesus. The Church in Ephesus looked composed and self-assured but forgot the WHO of why they do what they do. Jesus does not need the church to work for Him, He wants to work in and through His church. He tells them they, "have abandoned the love they had at first." other translations call it their first love which makes it sound like infatuation or puppy love that fades over time but it actually means the love you put in first place. Making the love of Jesus first priority means staying connected or making your home in Him. He put it this way, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me." John 15:5 Years ago my dad tried growing water melons in his yard. He planted the seeds and got a lot of vines to grow but it never produces watermelons. One day when we were all over his home he placed two small watermelons he purchased at the store under the vines, called us outside and presented us to them as fruit from his vine. It looked so real but the reality was it wasn't from that vine. In the end Jesus wants His church to produce fruit from Him, not just that looks like it from Him. This will only happen when He becomes our first love or love of priority. What will Jesus do in and through us as we love Him first in all that we do today? As always, it's easier said than done but that's the beauty of it, it's His work not ours. Just stay connected. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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