Think about this: Even after the Lord praised the church in Ephesus for
all their labour, He had something against them; they had left their
first love. What was the first love? Evidently, it refers to their love
and passion for Jesus Christ, shown through their love for the brethren.
The Ephesian church was a church that was known to love the Lord and
the brethren.
In Paul's epistle to them, right from the first verse, he addressed them
as the faithful in Christ Jesus: to the saints which are at Ephesus,
and to the faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1). In the fifteenth
verse, he noted their love for all the saints. Wherefore I also, after I
heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints
(Ephesians 1:15). This was the first love he charged them with leaving
in Revelation 2:4.
I John 4:20 says, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he
is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can
he love God whom he hath not seen? To love Jesus, you must express it
in loving God's people. By loving the brethren, you show that you love
Christ.
1 Timothy 5:8 says, But if any provide not for his own, and
specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel Paul was writing about God's people and how their
expression of the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be in their
relationship with others.
Jesus told the Ephesian church to do the first works: loving
Christ so much that they express it in loving others. Thus, the love of
God you demonstrate in action—towards those you can see—is so important.
Do you remember those that labour or work with you? Do their conditions
affect you or are you hard-hearted towards them Do you remember fellow
ministers and neighbouring churches going through difficult times? These
are things that must be foremost on your mind.
If you've not been love-ruled, if your actions haven't been
motivated by love, just as Jesus told the Ephesian church to repent, you
must repent as well. He said if they didn't repent, He'd take the
church out of its place. That was what He meant by removing the
candlestick out of his place; the church would no longer be there.
This shows that the relevance of the Church is in its ministry of
love. Walking in love has no alternative. Make up your mind and train
yourself to walk in love. Don't be hardened against your brethren, your
siblings or even strangers. Let your heart be softened and be easily
stirred to help.
CONFESSION
The love-nature of God in my
spirit causes me to radiate and express love to everyone. I'm full of
love! I sincerely display kindness and grace, and speak and believe the
best of others, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 4:18; Luke 23:33-34
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 21:33-22:1-14 & Exodus 20-21
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 11:11-20 & Genesis 31
