You’ve Got Mail…What Jesus says to the churches
Revelation 2 and 3 are about the seven churches of the Apocalypse. They were congregations in Asia Minor in John’s day. These seven assemblies are examples of the kind of churches that exist throughout history. This means that all seven letters are warnings to every church in every age.
Let’s take a look at Ephesus, “The Loveless Church” in chapter 2:1-7.
Jesus recognizes their accomplishments, their activity…work hard, patient endurance, opposed evil, stand for truth, endure hardships, didn’t give up. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil” (2:2).
What does it profit, my brethern, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you don’t give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not have works , is dead (James 2:14-17).
Jesus reprimands, you’ve lost your first love. your passion is fading, you’re shifting priorities. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (2:4).
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow ll my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
Jesus’ remedy, Remember therefore from where you have fallen, repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place ~ unless you repent” (2:5)
Yet indeed I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish (Phil. 3:8).
Jesus’ reward, eternal paradise. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his works.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (2:7)
We are the church folks. Don’t settle for less when the best is in your grasp.
Have you lost your first love?
Change priorities. Spend time with Jesus.
Blessed Victories 