4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2)
The church of Ephesus was blessed at its founding. Paul went there and stayed longer than anywhere else in Asia Minor. When Paul was called to go to Jerusalem, the Ephesian elders met him and wept. Timothy was one of the first bishops of Ephesus. The Apostle John went to Ephesus and probably died there. There is a house on top of the hill overlooking Ephesus that tradition says is the house of Mary the Mother of Jesus that John cared for in her latter days.
Yet the second generation of Christians were Christians in practice but not in heart. They had the tradition. They believed in the change in their parents. But they were missing the love. So the advice was to reignite the spark of love in their hearts. To do that they were to repent, remember the old ways, Kind of like going back to the old places that ignited the spark of love, they were called to think back to their first zeal of belief and re-oignite the spark. We all need to do that. We all need to consider if our love is what it used to be or what it needs to be. Loving God is the first commandment, and the church dies out (the lampstand is extinguished) if we do not get that love back.
Prayer: Lord, let your love flow in me and awake inside me.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Rev. 2:4,5)
Thoughts: Today the lampstand of the church of Ephesus is gone. It once was mighty. Paul taught there and was well loved. Miracles were done there. The apostle John taught and probably died there. It is strong tradition that Mary mother of Jesus also lived her last days in Ephesus. The people at one time burned over a million dollars of spells and sorcery scrolls in zeal for the gospel. Today the pagan temple of Artemis- one of the seven wonders of the world at Ephesus is gone- but so is the Christian church.
It could happen to any church- or any Christian. It is hard to keep that first love. In a relationship- we get to know each other and become as comfortable and worn as an old shoe. However, that having been said, it is easier to stoke the flames of love when we are together than when we are apart. Three logs together burns brighter than three logs spread apart (the embers go out when spread apart). The illusion that we can fan the flames for God all by ourselves is a common mirage. Just as football is meant to be a team sport, so Christian faith is meant to be practiced in all its messiness together. While it is possible to throw the ball up and catch it by yourself- being with others is better. Christians are called to love each other- and also to love God together. Cyber communion just isn't the same.
Today I am helping move my pregnant daughter and busy- medical-student son-in-law and grandaughter to a new house. I picked up a table donated by his grandfather. Tomorrow my son will come and help haul some furniture and boxes. Saturday my daughter and other son-in-law will come and haul some more. Friday night a wonderful church person is bringing over supper. Now, she could move all by herself (she is pregnant and is still working). But it is more memorable and a bit easier when many hands come together to make the load lighter.
Make sure your relationship with others and the church is strong for when you need the church. The church teaches us to love God- but also teaches us to love each other through the mess and disappointments of life. The church is far from perfect- it is quite messy. We should not be surprised at the sin in the church on this side of heaven. But it still points to a brighter day- when there is no coldness, sinfulness, aloofness in church- but it is full of love. Fan into flames your love for God- use the church as the bellows to blow hard on your dying embers.
Prayer: Lord, may I return to your true love.
(The ruins of an Ephesus street)
