Room for Repentance

Revelation 2:1“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. 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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 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. '"

As we saw yesterday, everything we read in Revelation needs to be seen through the Grace of God in Christ.  Included in that grace is understanding that God gives it in love.  This church at Ephesus had well applied the grace of God in service, perseverance, and discernment, but they had gotten into a rut and lost their love for Christ and one another.  It is one thing to understand and agree upon what to "believe" and do; it is another thing altogether to comprehend the love of God and let it consume our hearts and lives. As we prepare for Christ's coming, there are a lot of things we will sing, say, and do.  Are they done in love?