Thinking Thursday

[Rev 2:1-7 ESV] 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. 

Jesus who holds the seven angels and walks among the seven churches.

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.

Jesus knows the works of the church at Ephesus, how they have labored and patiently endured and they don't tolerate evil, and evaluate those who call themselves apostles against God's teachings and found them to be liars. 

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 

Jesus knows they are enduring patiently and remaining steady for the sake of His name.  The believers at Ephesus have not grown weary in doing good.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 

Jesus knows that they can do better in this matter, by returning to that first love - Him!  Whenever we experience the first pangs of love, we are focused and we put forth maximum effort to please our love interest.  After awhile, we begin to take them for granted and don't seek to please them as much.  We get comfortable.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 

So think back to those first moments of young love, and put forth the efforts to please Him.  If we do not, He can remove us from our position of privilege and blessing.

6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

Who are these Nicolaitans?  gotquestions.org gives us this insight.

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Those who love Him and want to obey Him with their lives, there is the reward of being with Him for eternity.  All believers should strive for this!!!