Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
These words were spoken to the Church in Ephesus. They are strong words and probably cut to the core of the Believers in that city. They lived in a world filled with idols and idol worshippers. Sin was all around them and they had to stick to the basics of their faith and keep close to God.
Whenever we get off track, the thing I need to do is regroup. When I start to carry over a balance on my credit card each month, I know it is time I return to the basics of my budget. Pay off the card and never spend money I don't have. This just makes good sense.
When my spiritual life gets off track and I have spent too much time in the world, I must turn back to the basics of my faith. I must spend more time with God, investing in my relationship with Him. Getting back to the basics always puts me in a better frame of mind and it just makes good sense.
Revelation 3:3 (NIV)
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Is there such a thing as getting too comfortable? Is life ever so sweet that we feel we have it all under control and we need not work any harder? Does God ever tell us in Scripture to sit back and take it easy, you've done all you need to, so take a break?
The letters to these two churches show how much God cares about His church. Life Application Study notes points out the Lord of the universe knew each of these churches and its precise situation. I would take that even further and suggest He knows and cares about our churches too.
He praised believers in Ephesus for their successes and told them how to correct their failures. Just as Jesus cared for each of these churches, he cares for yours. He wants it to reach its greatest potential. The group of believers with whom you worship and serve is God's vehicle for changing the world. Take it seriously—God does.
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