"These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 'I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first ove. 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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life , which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."
Our first love. Why is it easy for us to get distracted and walk away from our first love?
Distractions; there are so many in this life. Whatever they may be for you, you know. These Ephesians in Revelation 2 were really doing great things, but they were distracted. Remember what Jesus told Martha when he came to visit her and Mary? In Luke 10 it says that "Martha was distracted with much serving." Then Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Distractions and much serving keep us from sitting at the feet of Jesus and from dwelling in the presence of our first love.
When Jesus was speaking this opening passage of the admonition to churches in Revelation, He didn't just point out what was wrong with the Ephesiansand say, "I'm done with you." No, He gave a way out, a chance to turn and an opportunity to repent. Jesus said, "Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works".
As I read this, the Holy Spirit ministered to me and took me to the book of Ephesians to search out what these "first works" were. Here's what I found:
"In HIm also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, THAT WE WHO FIRST TRUSTED IN CHRIST would be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, HAVING BELIEVED, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is he guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:11-13
Trust and believe. Those are the first works.
In John 6:29, Jesus tells the multitudes about what the works of God are. He says, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."
Is it all that simple? Is that really what God requires of us? To believe Him and trust HIm? And what should our works really mean anyway? It really shouldn't be to win the approval of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; what it should be is an expression of our love.
So, what do we learn from all of this? What am I learning? I am learning that my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, desires me to learn from Him, trust and believe in Him. I am learning that all my striving, all my labor, and all the good things I do doesn't win His approval because He didn't save me because of that!
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
So, that's it. Trust and believe, and the good works, well, God has those already planned out. What freedom. What security. What comfort. And if you have found yourself as one who has left your first love, Jesus says to repent, turn around, and trust and believe.
Til next time,
Melissa
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