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Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 15

"You have left your first love"

Text: Revelation 2:4

AN EXAMINATION OF THE WORKS OF THE CHURCH II

The Lord’s examination and evaluation of the Church at Ephesus was mostly positive. However, in His impartial judgment, the Ephesian church was faulted on one special note. The Church had left its first love for the Lord.

“And you have persevered and have patience, and have
laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you,
that you have left your first love.”
Revelation 2:3-4

1. Further words of commendation.

a) Perseverance

i) This word highlights the ability to carry on though there were many challenges.

ii) The church continued to be steadfast and true to the Lord.

b) Patience

i) The focus here is “endurance”.

ii) The church at Ephesus had endured much.

c) Laboured much

i) The Ephesian Church was active.

ii) They had worked hard and laboured much for the sake of the Lord.

d) Have not become weary

i) The Church at Ephesus continued to be steadfast in their commitment to the Lord.

ii) The work of the Lord was hard and difficult but the church refused to be overcome by weariness.

The Ephesian Church had done very well as a golden lampstand. The angel of the Church had discharged his duties commendably. The Lord had evaluated many details and the Ephesian Church had performed remarkably.

2. A major area of concern.

a) The Lord examined the external works of the Church and they were good.

b) However, when the Lord dug a little deeper, He found a major problem.

c) The Ephesian Church had to face the fact that it had “left its first love” for the Lord.

3. The first love

a) The Love of God is first poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5,8).

b) The first and great commandment is to love the Lord with all the heart, with all the soul and with all the mind (Matthew 22:37).

c) But the Ephesian Church had “left” this first love for the Lord.

i) They were still very active in serving.

ii) But the heart of love for the Lord was now sadly missing.

iii) To leave this first love suggests that this was not an accident.

iv) The Church was no longer serving with zeal and zest that come from a great love for God.

This may appear to be a small thing, compared to all the activities of the Church at Ephesus. But this only reflects the human perspective. The Lord’s perspective considers the heart as of great significance, rather than mere activities!