THE church in Ephesus was thoroughly orthodox, even ready to fight to the limit for foundation truth, and refusing to listen to those who would pervert it. But they had left their first love. That is in heart they had turned away from occupation with the Lord Himself. They were far more ready to contend for doctrine than to be taken up with Christ. This is a snare to which we are all exposed. It is of great importance that we be sound in the faith. It is even more important that our hearts are filled with fervent love for Him who has so loved us as to give Himself for us. This church, too, had labored much. Its members could not be accused of slothfulness. But work without love is of little value in the eyes of Him who, moved by His love to the Father and His love for us, was to go to the cross that He might purchase our redemption.
Shall we not examine our own hearts, and if we find that love is lacking, confess our coldness and indifference, and seek to repent and do the first works—those which are the result of faith that worketh by love?
“Oh, pardon us, Lord, that our love to Thy name
Is so faint, with an much our affections to move!
Our coldness might fill us with grief and with shame,
So much to be loved and an little to love.”
―T. Kelly.