After John saw Jesus, standing there in His splendor and glory, Jesus commanded him to write about the things which “are.” Jesus then gave seven messages to seven churches. I am sure you have often studied these messages, but maybe we need to just look at them briefly and see if they apply to all that is happening around us today. We have pretty much compromised our vision of Christ Jesus in our time, and I bet we have done the same with His standards for the church.
He addressed the Church of Ephesus first. He notes their works, labors, discernment, perseverance, and patience. Then He makes a most remarkable statement. In the midst of everything this church does, they have forgotten to love. “You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” [Rev 2:4-5]
A loveless church—how can that even be possible, yet it is. God gave Israel two great commandments; Jesus reasserted them. “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [Matt 22:37-40, Deuteronomy 6:5]
We are to love. But how are we to love? Love must be more than our handshakes, hugs, smiles when we walk into our church buildings. Any group of people can produce handshakes, hugs, and smiles, but the world is not moved nor is it changed by human-based love or actions.
We will only change the world when we return to the sacrificial, all encompassing, unconditional love that Jesus demands – agape love, God’s love. That is the love we have forsaken, and if we want to see our culture, our society, our nation survive – and thrive – then that is the love we must return to.
