“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

— Revelation 2:5

The Lord Jesus has the authority to reveal the truth and call his people to repentance. He stands among his churches (including us!) with power, authority, and love.

After commending the Ephesian church on their hard work and perseverance, Jesus says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

Paul had mentioned that love in his letter to the Ephesians: “Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you” (Ephesians 1:15). The Ephesians had loved one another, striving for unity in the faith.

Now, however, Jesus reprimands them for forsaking that love, giving up on their commitment to show the love of Christ to everyone. Had they become selfish, proud, unwilling to do what was needed to get along with each other and with others? Had they become so absorbed with right thinking that they had allowed clouds of selfishness to come between them?

Jesus graciously calls them to repent and turn back to the love they had lost.

Friends, Jesus calls us to love one another and all people. Loving one another as Jesus has loved us is still the rallying cry of the church. Without sacrificial love between believers, any attempt at testifying to God’s love to others will appear shallow and be a sham.

Lord, help us to show your love for your sake, that you may be known to the world. Amen.