The church of Ephesus (Rev. 2) did the right stuff and kept at it. Jesus said, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false” (Rev. 2:2). Nonetheless, something was missing. They lost sight of the reason they did all those things — love.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (Rev. 2:4)
When we first put our trust in Jesus, we are often overwhelmed with a joy and peace that comes from knowing how God loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sin. Such delight, however, can diminish over time if we let the Christian life become more about duty. That can happen when the things we do as Christians, like going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and the like become an end in themselves rather than a means of growing in our love relationship with the Lord. When we merely go through the motions, doing what we do out of duty, some of the excitement and motivation goes out of us. We can start viewing the things we do as Christians as more of a drudgery than a joy.
What to do if you find yourself on the duty end of the Christian life:
Previously we looked at Jesus’ solution for the Church in Ephesus —
Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. (Rev. 2:5, NASB)
Remember. Think about what it was like when you first got to know Jesus. Remember how grateful you were. Remember the love it generated within you toward God.
Repent. Change your perception from duty to delight. Tell yourself the truth about life in Christ. It isn’t just about obeying God’s commandments. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn. 14:15).
Retool. What are those deeds you did at first? Get to “know and rely on the love God has” for you all over again (1 Jn. 4:16). When you bask in His love, it can’t help but spill over into love for Him. Remember, “We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).
Is it any wonder Jesus identified the greatest commandment as loving God with ALL of who we are (Matt. 22:35-40)? Let’s keep love for Him a top priority in all we do. Let’s keep love for Him our prime motivational factor.