The Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos during the cruel reign of Domitian. John’s crime was that he proclaimed and shared the saving message of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:9). On Patmos, John received a prophetic revelation but also seven letters to seven churches that existed at that time in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These letters are filled with correction and encouragement not only for the believers in those days but also today.
The first church addressed was the church in Ephesus which was a prominent city at that time. One of the things that Jesus commends them for is their strong doctrinal stance. They stood strong and were “commended by Christ for turning from both moral corruption and theological error.”[1]
However, everything was not perfect in Ephesus. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus rebukes them for having left their first love. It is important to note that they did not lose their first love but rather “left” (aphiēmi) it. Somewhere along the way, they had lost their love and devotion to Christ. For a Christian, we are to love the Lord first and be fully devoted to Him (Matt. 22:37; John 14:21, 23).
“Christ had their heads and hands, but not their hearts."[2]
One lesson that we learn from the church at Ephesus is that maintaining doctrinal purity is commended, but we must also maintain our first love for Christ. Have you allowed other things to take first place in your life? Is your heart devoted to anything else above your first love for Christ?
Blessings,
Pastor Steven