The Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7 states, "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'"

I remember when I first became a Calvinist.  I knew I had struck the goldmine!  God is completely sovereign in salvation and everything!  He preserves and governs all His creatures and all their actions. It changed my whole way of thinking, but looking back I wonder if I left my first love: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Seems contradictory given the theology of Calvinism, yet it seems so common amongst those who come to the realization of Scripture's teaching.  Perhaps it is pride or idolatry of self that leads to this sin.  This is the danger of many in the Church, especially Presbyterians.  Every single one of us can become so passionate about details that we can't see the forest for the trees.  Examples in the Church, we could say would be something like Postmillennialism specifically in Theonomy (e.g. Bahnsen, Rushdoony), which focuses so much on political overhaul, ethics, and so on, and overlooks the Gospel.  There are those whose great passion is ecumenicalism (Manhattan Declaration, Evangelicals/Catholics Together, and the 'can't we all just get along and not be so narrow' crowd) and thereby redefine and forsake the Gospel.

But above all, as individuals who make up the body of Christ, the Church, we can't leave our first love.  We cannot turn our backs on the Gospel, it is the only reason we have life.  Jesus died on the tree, judged and cursed on our behalf.  He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf, He is our propitiation.  That is God's love for us in Christ, that He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all.  How could we ever turn from this, how could we ever not have the Gospel in the forefront of our minds and hearts?

"Clasp that cross! Backsliding Christian, go at once to the cross! There, and there only, can you get your spirit quickened. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead you may have become, go again in all your rags and poverty. Clasp that cross! Look into those languid eyes! Bathe in that fountain filled with blood! This will bring back your first love. This will restore the simplicity of your faith, and the tenderness of your heart." said Charles Spurgeon.

Let not our lampstand be snuffed out, leave not your first love.  Turn away from your sins and turn to Him who gave up all to give you life!