1. “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 New Living Translation.

This is the first of seven letters to seven different Churches which the Lord Jesus ‘dictates’ to John, who writes Jesus’ words down and ‘posts’ the letters to the ‘angel’ of each Church. (The word angel also means ‘messenger’ so it’s likely that the leaders of the Churches are meant here.) A lamp stand in those days was used to hold up a lighted lamp. Why do you think Churches are called lamp stands?

Do verses 2-3 suggest that being a Christian was easy in those days? It seems these Christians put up with a lot of opposition from people who tried to hurt or deceive them. They carefully examined what some false Christians were teaching and were not taken in by their lies. (It’s like preachers today who say being a Christian is all about God blessing you with money and health; we mustn’t be taken in by them.)

But despite their courage and hard work, Jesus saw that something was now missing. What was it? (vs 4). Imagine being in a marriage where you feel that your partner only does what they do out of a sense of duty, but not real affection. Jesus wants us to serve Him (and each other) with real love, not just because we know we should do it. He wants us to do it with love. What does He urge them to do about the problem. (vs 5).

The Nicolaitans mentioned in vs 6 were probably people who called themselves Christians but who taught it was still ok to be promiscuous. Their view of ‘love’ was sensual rather than pure. What does Jesus want Christians to be as we live in a world where there’s so much false teaching? (vs 7)

God wants us to have victory over the lies the world peddles, including lies about sexuality. Did you notice that Jesus hates the deeds that the lies of the world produce. We should hate those deeds too. Ask the Lord today to stir up your love for Him - and for your Christian family. Lets seek to do what we do in love.