Revelations 2:1-7 is the letter to the Church in Ephesus. This passage is famous on the point of the Ephesians forsaking their first Love for the Lord. It's even entitled "The Loveless Church" from New King James Version. If you're like me I'm easily drawn to the Title's point in reading the passage.
This changed when my Pastor preached about this last Sunday.
Here's the passage from Revelations 2:1-7
The Loveless Church
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “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; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “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.”’
But here's the new revelation:
Did you notice verses 2 and 3? The first time I read this, I thought to myself this is just a "background" of what the Church of Ephesus was before they lost their first love. But actually, it also talks about God's nature and love towards the Church.
HE KNOWS!
Yes! You read it right! He knows! God said in verses 2 and 3 that HE knows their works, their labor, their patience, their perseverance and the many more good things they have done for Him!
What am I trying to say?
I'm saying GOD knows and GOD remembers everything we've done in the past for Him. He remembers our little act of kindness, our labor in the ministry, every tear we cried, every prayer we uttered, every step we took to visit a friend, every cent we gave to those who are need. Yes! Everything is accounted for. Every labor we've done has been written down and will never be in vain! 1 Cor. 15:58
And this even though just like the Ephesians, He's no longer our first love. He remembers the good even if we've failed him a lot of times already! He took notice FIRST of the good things before the bad.
That's how GOD is. He loves us so much that no matter how idolatrous and even though we always go and look for other "lovers", He remains to be the greatest lover. The lover who never forgets.
As a TL during coaching sessions, we are asked to start with recognition then the Areas for Improvement (weaknesses of the agents) and then end it with Recognition again so that agent leaves with a light and happy heart.
Now, notice what GOD said after the telling Ephesians they've lost their first love:
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev. 2:6
Now I think that's just sweet. Isn't it?
