February 2, 2000
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Love, not duty, the impetus
for service to Christ
___Revelation 2:1-22
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___"I have this against you" (Revelation 2:20). These words of Christ to the church of Thyatira are very similar to what he said to Ephesus and Pergamum. Their lack of faithfulness in fulfilling Christ's expectations led him to instruct John to write these letters. I have tried to imagine how I would feel if my husband were to read a letter from the Lord like one of these to our congregation.
___Paul had written a letter to the church in Ephesus 30 years earlier. Paul used the word "love" more often in that letter than in any other. He gave thanks for them in part due to their "love for all the saints" (Ephesians 1:15). He comments on their "being rooted and established in love" (Ephesians 3:17). Paul wrote that they "be patient, bearing with one another in love," "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:2, 15). He told husbands to "love your wives, just as Christ loved the church" (Ephesians 5:23). Paul closed the epistle by writing, "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love" (Ephesians 6:24).
___Yet John was asked to write these disheartening words: "You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:4). Had they simply never grasped "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" as Paul had prayed for them (Ephesians 3:18)? Was love not the driving force behind their church as it had been in the past?
___Paul had also taught them about wearing the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). They seemed to have done so, for Christ commends them for not tolerating wicked men, testing those who falsely claimed to be apostles, persevering and enduring hardships for his name (Revelation 2:2-3). Yet Christ said to them: "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent" (2:4-5).
___God had raised them "up with Christ and seated them with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." They were "to live a life worthy of the calling" they had received (Ephesians 2:6-7; 4:1). They had not only fallen, there would be consequences if they did not repent.
___They had been in love with the Lord--serving, teaching, ministering, even disciplining and exposing doctrinal impurity out of love and the desire to see God's grace extended to others. Now their actions are driven by something else.
___I could serve my husband, Dennis regularly--cooking, cleaning, shopping--but if I never spent time with him, the love in our relationship would grow cold. Were they not spending time with the Lord?
___After Paul described the armor of God, he gave them the instructions to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions" (Ephesians 6:18). Isn't prayer our opportunity to be in his presence, to share our thoughts and learn from him? Could they have forgotten to talk with the Lord, listen to his heart, get their instructions truly through his Spirit? Had they done what they thought was right for the wrong reasons or out of habit?
___"I have this against you."
___Yes, Lord. I am listening.
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