CHANGE OR BE CHASTENED | Daily Devotion
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:1-7
Jesus loves His church! He built His church—Matthew 16:18. It is the place where God’s glory is truly experienced. So, He guards it by confronting sin directly. In His love, Jesus gives His church an opportunity to repent and to be restored, or to suffer the consequences for their rebellion. It is a word for us today as a church corporately, but also individually.
Here, Jesus writes to the church of Ephesus, reminding them that He is walking in their midst—Revelation 2:1, and that He sees everything that is going on in their church. He commends them for what they are doing right. “I know your works,” Jesus says. “I know you work hard. I see you patiently enduring. I know you keep false teachers out, and that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans—Revelation 2:2-3, 6. With that, you are doing good. Nevertheless, I have this against you: you have left your first love—Revelation 2:4 NKJV.”
Christian, are you praying as intensely as you used to or are your prayers heartless? Are you reading the Bible to hear God speak directly to your heart or are they just words on a page? Are you truly worshipping God or just singing the lyrics? Do you see Jesus or is your vision clouded with idols? Do you seek Jesus and His approval or the approval of man?
Only you and Jesus can answer these questions. Jesus sees your heart—Proverbs 21:2. He knows your motives—Proverbs 20:27. Do you love Jesus passionately or are you just going through the motions?
Have you left your first love? If you have – then remember what it was like when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. What were you doing when you passionately loved Jesus? Next, repent. Stop sinning! Recognize your sin for what it is – against Jesus Christ, destroying yourself and those around you, keeping people from living the abundant life. Change directions. “Prove by the way that you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God”—Matthew 3:8 NLT. And finally, return and do the works you did at first. Return to right fellowship with Jesus Christ. Enjoy friendship with Jesus again, hearing Him speak the mysteries of what’s to come – Jeremaih 33:3.
Or else, Jesus will “remove your lampstand”—Revelation 2:5. Jesus will take away your light, your influence, your prominence. You will not be a city on a hill with your light shining for all to see—Matthew 5:14.
Today, the Lord is giving you a choice: change or be chastened! If your love for Jesus has grown cold, “God [will] use sorrow in [your] life to help [you] turn away from sin and seek salvation”—2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT. The sorrow can come in many forms; but it is designed specifically for you to directly hit your heart in order to wake you up and bring you to repentance. This sorrow will bring you to your knees in humble surrender, forcing you to seek Jesus passionately for His grace and mercy. You have a choice.
If you overcome, Jesus promises heaven and eternal life—Revelation 2:7. God gives grace to the repentant sinner. So, Christian, run to the cross! “May God’s grace be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love”—Ephesians 6:24 NLT.
Let the glory of God’s name be the passion of this church!
Prayer: Abba, thank You for Your love found in correction of sin. You don’t want anyone suffering due to sinful choices, especially suffering eternally in hell. We ask Lord for You to purify Your church today, drawing many back to Yourself, desiring to be best friends with Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
