REVELATION 2:1-5 – To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “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. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’
Today’s scripture is one of those which should cause us to stop, ponder, and be warned. It describes a church and Christians who had all the outside looks of true Christianity but lacked the vitality and realism of true Christianity. The Ephesian church was like an artificial Christmas tree with all its ornaments on it. It looks real. It’s pretty, yet, it doesn’t have life; the life that rightly defines Christianity – first love for Jesus.
The Ephesus church received much commendation from the Lord, but the dreaded words from Him of “But I have this against you” would draw their attention to this glaring offense. May we never live as the Lord would say that to us! To have all the outward look of a Christian, right conduct, right doctrine, even ministry, but to be without the controlling power of Christ’s love is to live a religious life, not a spiritual life. And that condition is the first step toward a spiritually backslidden condition.
However, all is not lost. We can always come back to the Lord if first love for Him as grown cold. Will it be painful? Yes, but God is faithful to “wound us” to heal us – Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:1-2). What wonderfully encouraging words from the Lord. He will heal our backsliding. He will restore us, and regardless of how far we have drifted from Him. Below is a wonderful story of this great truth. Be encouraged as we read the true account.
Robert Robinson, author of the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” lost the happy communion with the Savior he had once enjoyed, and in his declining years he wandered into the by-ways of sin. As a result, he became deeply troubled in spirit. Hoping to relieve his mind, he decided to travel. In the course of his journeys, he became acquainted with a young woman on spiritual matters, and so she asked him what he thought of a hymn she had just been reading. To his astonishment he found it to be none other than his own composition. He tried to evade her question, but she continued to press him for a response. Suddenly he began to weep. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he said, “I am the man who wrote that hymn many years ago. I’d give anything to experience again the joy I knew then.” Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the “streams of mercy” mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning his “wandering heart” to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship.
Remember, we can always come back.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I allow first love to Your Son to be replaced by self or worldly love.”
QUOTE: “Backsliding is a serious sin against God but is not beyond the forgiving grace of God.”