Revelation 2:1–4
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
The beginning of Revelation contains an amazing section of passages containing letters written to the people of God who meet in different places. Jesus is making a statement to the churches but more importantly to the people who make up the body. There are seven letters to seven churches and we are part of the body and these letters are meant for us even today.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get a personalized letter from our Lord in the mail today? It would if there was nothing but positive in the letter. This happened for only two of the churches –Smyrna and Philadelphia. If Jesus said to you today, I know your works, what would he commend? If he had a rebuke for the wrongs in your life what would those be? Which list is longer? Because of what Jesus has done for us in giving us a new life our work is to make the good list longer than the bad list. We do this by the work of the Holy Spirit as he guides, counsels, and enables us to do more. OK, so you may be like me and the bad list seems way too long but if you start today living the new life in a way to hear Jesus say, “Well done,” it won’t be long before the commendations of Jesus are greater than the rebukes.
So as our Lord commands take up you cross and follow him. Then at the end of your day be proud to come before the Lord as a faithful follower of Christ.
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