“Repent And Do The Things You Did At First!”

“Repent And Do The Things You Did At First!”(Rev.2:1-7)[06/12/2024].
Today’s text is the first of the seven letters addressed to seven churches. This first letter is to the church in Ephesus. What is common to all the letters is that they are addressed to the angels of those churches. We can’t be definite as to whether these are heavenly angels or human angels as in ministers of those churches.
Nevertheless, the content of each letter is addressed to the collective Christians of that congregation.
The Ephesians are commended for hard work and perseverance. They are known for not tolerating wicked people. They tasted those who claimed to be apostles but were not and who were found to be false.
The Ephesians also persevered and endured hardships for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they never grew weary.
However, the Lord had this against the Ephesian Christians: “You have forsaken your first love.” This foresakenness is a fall from a height. And the demand of the Lord is, “Repent and do the things you did at first “ Failure to repent is to attract immediate punishment from the Lord.
Most congregations or assemblies around the world deserve a pat on the back from the Lord for their vibrancy, infrastructural development, and organizational acumen.
While these are praiseworthy, it is a fall from a great height because of the nonchalant attitude towards the love of Christ and the love for each other. It is the dearth of agape love!
What we learn over time as Christians is that we become everything with zeal, but less concerned about the love of Christ and the genuine quest for salvation.
The story is told of a man who went from church to church but could not be comfortable because he was given a cold shoulder. One day, in conversation with himself, the Holy Spirit told him, “Do not bother about the rejection. I myself have not been able to have a space in any of them.”
Yes my friend, we may have done all the praiseworthy things, but if we have abandoned our first love, the message is clear and simple: “Repent and do the things you did at first.”
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, prompt us to repent and do the things we did at first. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.