Ephesus – privilege brings responsibility
We have
briefly noticed in the last few articles, some important truth conveyed to the
believers at Ephesus. Now I would like you to notice the situation many years later
as the Lord in heaven evaluate the condition of the believers.
Revelation
2:3,4 “....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......”
The
lesson of this account is quite obvious
- we may have much of good, godly things in place, but if we miss or
lose first love, all else is vain. The believers had so much commendable, yet
they were threatened with removal of the lamp stand. Let us catch the
significance of love, devotion, adoration to our risen, living Lord Jesus
Christ. Without this motive, this response of heart, all service becomes hollow.
Chapter
3.19 puts it another way “ Those whom I
love I rebuke and discipline .” Here HIS motive is revealed – His actions
toward us are motivated by love (so undeserved). How much more should we love
Him who first loved us!
Rather
than explore the detail of this little letter, let us first take time out to
search our hearts, our motives, our agenda, our devotion - is it love to the Lord?
I
conclude my meditations on Ephesians with the last verse
“Grace to
all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with
an undying love.”
