How special would you feel if you had learned that someone had actually taken the time to handwrite you a personal letter? Recently, while going through a very challenging family crisis, my elderly Aunt Bert sent me an encouraging card with handwritten notes and scriptures all over it. As I read the notes, I realized how much she loved my family. By taking the time to slow down and tangibly write with her own hand, I felt closer to her than I’ve ever felt. I could feel the compassion and comfort from the words that were written down.
Today, I am beginning a blog to reflect on the seven letters that Jesus wrote to the early church as described in the Book of Revelation. These letters set the stage for the remainder of this insightful and prophetic revelation given to the Apostle John. Written to seven specific churches that were located in seven different cities, Jesus shares His heart and His concern for the Bride of Christ, His church. I believe that the content of what is said in these letters speak to any church in any time period that face oppressive times of persecution and live within a culture permeated with the darkness of evil and wickedness that continue to push back against the testimony of the gospel.
No matter where you stand politically, personally, or prophetically as you fgdhjsreflect on the current disruption in our world, one thing is for certain, the church is scrambling; and furthermore every human being is scrambling; to make sense of the global chaos all around us. We don’t need another piece of junk mail in our hands; there is no better time to hear from Jesus, than right now! We need a “Letter from Jesus”!
Let’s take a look at the letter to the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was the third largest city in the ancient world; a beautiful city with great temples, including the temple to Artemis. It was well known for it’s mystic cult religions; commercialism; and ritualistic prostitution. The church in Ephesus became a “light” in the darkness with Paul, Timothy and John all having pastored there.
Jesus says to Ephesus, I know your labor, that you’re not a lazy or apathetic group of people. Rather, I know your patience, the tenacity in which you serve and persevere under the harshest of circumstances. I know your conviction, that you cannot bear those who are evil, hypocritical and spread false narratives about the gospel with impure motives. But I have this against you: YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.
Love is the focus of this letter. Paul would later explain in 2 Corinthians 5 that Love is the compelling factor for sharing the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians, Paul shares that we can prophesy, speak in tongues, labor, work and preach, but if all done without love, its always perceived as but a clanging cymbal. Perception of our motives is powerful.
Everything hinges on love, loving God and loving others (Mark 12:30-31).
Love is the battleground for our soul according to 1 John 2:15-17; our passion and love of Christ can be replaced with the love of the world, the love of the things in the world, and even we can turn love into unholy lust.
Love is patient and says I don’t want anyone to perish(2 Peter 3:9) Love finds its ultimate expression by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It’s as if Jesus was putting a “blood stained”welcome mat at the front door of eternity. Love takes down the scoreboard and yet somehow, Ephesus walked away from this kind of love. They lost their purpose, their identity, and the reason for their dedication and commitment. Jesus was no longer first place, they had become more devoted to the “church” of Christ than to Jesus Himself.
So, How do I know if I’ve left my first love? Simply put, was there ever a time in your life when Jesus meant more to you than He does today?
William Cowper wrote in a familiar hymn “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” Everyone of us will face times of wandering and leaving the love of Christ. When we do not persist and consistently seek God first, other priorities replace your passion for Jesus.
Jesus tells the church in Ephesus, “Remember and Repent”. Remember to rebuild your history with God and not just your resume. Go and find those places where you first fell in love with Christ. Sing the songs that you sang when you first were filled with passion. Remind yourself today of the moment when you made that first heartfelt devoted commitment to Him.
In my living room is a collage of pictures from my wedding day now from over 20 years ago. Next to a picture of my younger self and my beautiful bride is a saying that says, “Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite”. Everyday I’m reminded that the life I’m building with my wife, is one that is built on love, commitment, and devotion for each other. I cannot relive the moment of my wedding day, but each day I can recapture the heart and the love and the motives that drove me to say yes at that altar.
So when you feel hopeless in trying to control your circumstances, powerless to show love, and blinded by the evil deceptive lies of this world; wandering from the God in whom you love; remember the sacrifice of Jesus and allow Him to recapture His love for you.
God wants nothing more than to restore His relationship with every human being. He wants you to enjoy what He’s created. He wants you to be healed, to experience forgiveness, to worship and serve, to see His face and to know His name. He wants His relationship with you to be the greatest love story that will live on for eternity.