Revelation 2

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (2:4). The Ephesians resisted evil and had “not grown weary,” yet they lacked genuine love (v2-4). It seems that they were more concerned with moral purity than with loving Jesus and the people He died to save. The Spirit of Christ called them to “repent” (v5) and return to their former ways, since without love their righteousness was worthless. Other churches received encouragement under persecution (v10) and warnings not to tolerate sin or false teaching (v14,20).

“I know your works” (v19). Our faith, obedience, and endurance matter to the Lord. He sees every detail, and His Spirit is at work for our maturity.