The early church at Ephesus sprung up in the epicenter of sin and idolatry. A person embracing the Christian faith would be thrust into a raging battle between good and evil. As it was in those days, so it is today.
The beginning of one’s Christian life is marked by unbridled exuberance, characterized by enthusiasm without knowledge. The lack of knowledge makes easy prey for the Nicolaitans, who were the epitome of Paul’s description of “ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing”. Religious syncretism, the blending of the truth of God with paganism and wicked pagan festivals, was only one cause of confusion within the early church. Adding to the growing disorder was antinomianism, a belief holding the idea that one could freely partake in sin because grace made the Law of God was no longer binding.
It is unfortunate that maturity brings knowledge often without enthusiasm. Christ commended the church of Ephesus for their hard work, patient endurance, and their hate of the Nicolaitans. Yet his rebuke was sharp and biting. Their love for God had fallen into decay; they had lost their love and zeal. Maintaining an intense love for God requires both knowledge and enthusiasm. Affliction, error mixed with truth, perversion, and confusion are strategies used to erode our love for God.
Defending the faith requires constantly guarding against any structure or teaching that weakens our love for God. Prolonged conflict has the power to weaken or destroy our patience and affection. The inherent danger of routines is that we find ourselves going through the motions without engaging our heart. Doing good works because we love God must be safeguarded less the church become a human mechanism absent of true transforming power. Losing sight of the seriousness of sin reduces the thrill of forgiveness (2 Pet 1:9) slowly degrading its value. Therefore we must:“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (I Thess.5:21).“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (I Thess.5:21).
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (I Thess.5:21).
“…search the scriptures daily…” (Acts 17:11)
“…rightly dividing the word of truth…” (II Tim 2:15)
The danger faced by the Ephesian believers is no less ours. Failing to keep our first love renders judgment that removes the light, making us ineffective. The Christian life is warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. It is not enough that we engage in warfare, but we must pursue it until the end. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, but as Paul did, fight the good fight. To those who overcome, Jesus promised to give them the right to eat from the fruit from the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).
Our passionate love for God is the source of our ability to endure and persevere. If the endurance meter is reading low, then it is a good time to stop and compare our present state with our former, acknowledging how far we have come and take action to realign ourselves as necessary (Rev 2:5). Motivated by love, our efforts are supernaturally infused with power to accomplish anything.
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.Colossians 1:11-12
Sonshine Messages 