Life of truth and love

You have lost the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4) 

Ephesus. AD 90. The tiny Christian community in this fourth largest city in the Roman Empire has gathered in a church member’s home for the weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper. A ripple of excitement goes around the room as a lector begins to read out a long pastoral letter that has just arrived—a letter that we now call the Book of Revelation. Coming from a revered leader named John, the “prophetic message” opens with specific words of knowledge for seven churches in Asia Minor. Ears prick up as the group hears “the church in Ephesus” addressed first (Revelation 2:1).

It’s painful to picture the Ephesian believers listening to the assessment of their weaknesses that follows. Maybe they expected nothing but praise. For forty years, they had labored patiently. They had suffered hostility from citizens who worshiped false gods and took pride in the city’s temple to Artemis. They had stayed on guard against the false teachers. They had opposed heretics and preserved doctrinal truth. John’s letter commends them for these accomplishments. But then, unexpectedly, there comes a sobering reproach: “You have lost the love you had at first. . . . Repent, and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:4, 5). 

What went wrong? Apparently, the Ephesians’ zeal for orthodoxy came at the expense of love. In a subtle shift of focus, correcting false beliefs became their chief concern. Vigilant against doctrinal deviations, the Ephesians seemed to have slipped into a harsh, fault-finding spirit that created distrust and division.

Scripture doesn’t say how the Ephesians responded. But their story invites us to consider whether we are keeping love at the forefront while also preserving the truth. Our emphasis on love can protect our unity and our peace—both in our families and in the Church. Our love can cover “a multitude of sins” among us (1 Peter 4:8). It can keep us from sounding like “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” when we talk about the truths of our faith (1 Corinthians 13:1). Ultimately, our love for each other will convince the world about the truth of Jesus (John 13:35).

May we all learn how to live “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)!

“Come, Holy Spirit! Lead me in the way of love and truth.”

from wau.org