WORD From The Woods
Revelation 2:1-7
“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.
“‘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. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 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. Yet this you have:you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.”
The church in Ephesus, was the first of seven specifically mentioned in the Revelation given to the apostle John. The message to this church begins by commending them for their patient endurance and solid doctrinal teaching. They had tested false apostles and rejected them. The Ephesians were not afraid to stand on the truth of word of God. But, Christ says through they had abandoned the love they had when they first followed Him. They were solid on doctrine but lacking in love, both for God and the people around them. This is a huge problem in our day as well. This describes the religious groups that get so caught up in doctrine and keeping the rules that they push the world around them away and cause unnecessary division. These people forget that they themselves were sinners that came to the foot of the cross broken, and desperately in need of a savior. It’s easy to do, but we must always remember, without the grace found in Christ covering our sin we would still be headed for hell. It’s not solid doctrine or keeping the rules that make us acceptable to God. It’s the perfect, righteous blood of Jesus Christ covering our unrighteous, sin-stained life that makes us acceptable to God. Because of that we should never loose sight of the love that we have in Christ and let that love shine into the dark world around us! That’s a huge part of what this ministry is all about, encouraging you to let the love and joy of salvation shine through you to the folks you work with every day.
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Revelation 2:1-7
“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.
“‘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. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 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. Yet this you have:you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.”
The church in Ephesus, was the first of seven specifically mentioned in the Revelation given to the apostle John. The message to this church begins by commending them for their patient endurance and solid doctrinal teaching. They had tested false apostles and rejected them. The Ephesians were not afraid to stand on the truth of word of God. But, Christ says through they had abandoned the love they had when they first followed Him. They were solid on doctrine but lacking in love, both for God and the people around them. This is a huge problem in our day as well. This describes the religious groups that get so caught up in doctrine and keeping the rules that they push the world around them away and cause unnecessary division. These people forget that they themselves were sinners that came to the foot of the cross broken, and desperately in need of a savior. It’s easy to do, but we must always remember, without the grace found in Christ covering our sin we would still be headed for hell. It’s not solid doctrine or keeping the rules that make us acceptable to God. It’s the perfect, righteous blood of Jesus Christ covering our unrighteous, sin-stained life that makes us acceptable to God. Because of that we should never loose sight of the love that we have in Christ and let that love shine into the dark world around us! That’s a huge part of what this ministry is all about, encouraging you to let the love and joy of salvation shine through you to the folks you work with every day.
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-