“It’s so easy to live on past victories and successes. We may have a great spiritual history or may have experienced times of great renewal, but as Jesus searches our hearts, He desires to speak to us about where we are right now.”

This past weekend, we spent time with the church in Ephesus, a community known for doing many things right and yet lovingly challenged by Jesus to return to what mattered most. In Revelation 2:1-7, we were reminded that faithfulness can slowly drift into routine if love for Christ is no longer at the center. Jesus spoke both affirmation and warning, showing us that good works and sound doctrine are not substitutes for devotion, but expressions of it. The call was clear and hopeful: remember where our love began, turn back toward Him, and renew a relationship that is meant to be alive, joyful, and rooted in grace.

Key Takeaways

• It is possible to be busy for God while slowly growing distant from God, so love must remain our motivation.
• Jesus invites us to remember, repent, and return, not in shame, but in restoration.
• Renewed love for Christ reshapes our worship, our service, and our everyday faith.

Up Next

This coming weekend, we continue our journey through Revelation with “Smyrna: Faithful unto Death” from Revelation 2:8-11, a message that encourages courage and trust when following Jesus comes at a cost. Join us as we learn how Christ meets His people with hope and promise in the midst of suffering.