Are you Ephesus ?
In the book of Revelations we read,
"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 and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, 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 your first love.
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the 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.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelations 2:1-7.
It is said each church represented in the book or Revelations can refer to a church, a church denomination or even a person in the present day.
Here while the Lord comments on their deeds and hard work. That they have not tolerated wicked men. And that they have hated the practices of the Nicolaitans an heretical group. The Lord also notes,
- “Yet I hold this against you:
- you have forsaken your first love.
- Remember the height from which you have fallen!
- Repent and do the things you did at first”.
Some scholars note that this could mean that they have lost their love of God, of Christ. Some have even said they have lost their love of each other. While others say they have lost their love of both.
Either way The Lord makes it clear if they don’t repent they will loose their status before God.
As individuals we need to look at ourselves; Is God truly my first love? Do I truly love those around me. Family, friends, and foe alike?
Do I need to repent?
Do you?
Please think about it.
