The Loveless Church
“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4
In the past, I have wondered why there haven’t been any books added to the scripture for 2000 years? Then I remembered the book of Revelation is the perfect climax and conclusion to the best seller that is the Holy Bible. These are the words of the resurrected, ascended into heaven, “glorified” Jesus that He gave to the last living apostle for the churches. Surely there is some truth that we can find relevant to today’s body of believers to impact the messed up world we live in.
After John got up from falling before Jesus in chapter 1 of Revelation, Jesus began to give a message to send to the believers in the church at Ephesus. He began His message by talking about the “works” they were currently doing. They were working hard and laboring, they were patient, and they hated evil. They had questioned those who had said they were apostles but were liars. They had persevered, been patient and had labored for His name’s sake and had not gotten tired in doing these things. These all sound like good things, and they were good things. However, even though they were doing many good things, there was something missing. They had lost their first love. Something has changed and they didn’t love others and the work of the ministry like they did at first. It seemed they had lost the love of the Holy Spirit flowing through them. All their hard work was out of obligation and traditions and they had forgotten the new commandment that Jesus gave to love one another.
Jesus’ solution to them was to remember how it used to be and repent from where they had fallen from. Then He wanted them to go back and do the signs, miracles, and bringing thousands into the kingdom daily like the first church, so their light could be seen and wouldn’t go out again.
The New Testament church began in the upper room when they were all in agreement on the day of Pentecost. That was also when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. There was no structure, plan, or program. However, there was the energy that comes from sharing the good news with others. Not that we shouldn’t have structure, but we shouldn’t be stepping over people to get to our task in the church building. The church at Ephesus had gotten busy laboring in the work of ministry but had lost the reason they were doing it. Jesus never intended for us to be busy with planning, practicing, or programs. He intended for us to agree with each other, meet consistently, and bring people in that are hurting and looking for hope. This work must start with love for God and His plans and filling up with the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus told the disciples at His ascension to wait for the Holy Spirit and then the power to accomplish God’s work would be on them.
Today I want to encourage you to consider this letter to the church at Ephesus. How is it relevant to what you are doing today in the church? What steps can you take personally to begin to return to your first love? The first thing to do is to set some time aside to worship and adore your heavenly Father. Then ask for a refilling of the Holy Spirit in the same way the first church was filled up. If you have never been filled with the Holy Spirit, ask Him to fill you today. Pray and ask Him to show you opportunities to do the “first works” of loving others the way the first New Testament church did and receive the power of the Spirit flowing through you to do those works. Today, return to your first love by loving God and loving people.
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 2:1-7
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
The Daily Dose 