“Renewed Love”

Sometimes our love for Christ grows weak. Our love for others or each other can grow cold. We need to renew our love for the Lord and for others in order for us to be the people God desires. The church in Ephesus was once a strong church. But when we follow the story of this church from the book of Acts, the epistle of Ephesians, the epistle of 1&2 Timothy, and to the book of Revelation, we find that this church has lost its first love. Notice what Jesus said to them:

“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: “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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds 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 to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”(Rev. 2:1–7 NKJV)

This congregation have done many things of which the Lord commended them. However, there was a very big problem, Jesus said “you have left your first love.” It is important to revisit the foundations of our existence as a church/Christian. It is not enough to hate evil, to test the false teachings, to endure persecutions, and to do other things for the Lord. All of these are necessary and good for the church to do. However, first and foremost, is loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. May your love for Him and others be renewed in Christ Jesus as you go throughout this new year.