Revelation 2:2-3
‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
I remember the annual evaluations I was forced to undergo in my days on the truck. They were nerve wracking and seemed designed to destroy morale. I get an evaluation from the elders each October and it is totally different, with encouragement and vision for the future of the church. The above verses seem like a good evaluation of the church in Ephesus from the Head of the church himself, Jesus Christ. They had a great work ethic, perseverance, sound doctrine, and stamina. It sounds like an A+ rating. But Jesus had one thing against them and it was a doozy. They had forgotten to love the Head, Jesus Christ.
It is amazing how easy it is to become complacent because things are going well and we are doing things right. That nagging sin has not plagued us nearly as much. We are doing great things. We are even amazed at our humility! All these things, Jesus points out, can occur while forgetting the most important aspect of the church, the love of Jesus Christ. Today, let us remember that these things the church does are done as a result of our love of Jesus Christ. We love him because he first loved us. He is our first love.
O Heavenly Father, you loved us so much that it caused you to sacrifice your Son on a cross. May we first remember that love and love you first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.