Those of us in Christian work, managing Christian organizations, responsible for budgets, events, and staffs, can often become deluded by something that many in ministry do not even consider a problem. This same delusion was an issue in the Ephesian church and was addressed by our Lord in Rev. 2:1-7. The Ephesian Christians were deluded by the importance of their service as they allowed it to have priority over their love for Jesus.

Have you allowed your work for Christ to come before your worship of Him? Have you assumed that He cares more about what you do for Him than who you are to Him?

By Looking at Jesus
Jesus began His letter to the early believers by focusing their attention on Himself: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands Rev. 2:1.

It is so easy in Christian service to put our focus on ourselves or our ministry or someone or something else other than The Lord Jesus. In effect, Jesus was saying, I hold you in My hand, I am present in your midst, because service is all about Me. Stop your comparisons. Stop looking at anyone or anything else. Look at Me. Where is your focus in ministry? Are you looking at Jesus only?

By Learning from Jesus
As we keep our focus on Him, Jesus encourages us to open our hearts, minds and ministries to His thoughtful, thorough examination as He reveals, I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance Rev. 2:2. Obviously the Ephesian Christians were doing many things right and He commends them for their busy service.

Jesus is fully informed today about our deeds, hard work, and perseverance. Did you really think that He didn’t know all that you are doing for Him ? While others may get the attention, the acclaim, the awards, and the affirmation, Jesus pointedly reminds you and me: "I know"

Having commended the believers for their service, Jesus then confronts their misplaced priorities in ministry, convicting them of their absurd, mechanical, and professional attitude by writing, Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love Rev. 2:4.

What is a "first love?"

When I first fell in love with my wife, I was totally preoccupied with thought of her. My love was affectionate, emotional, and passionate. I was almost obsessed about spending time with her. I wanted to tell her everything and I listened intently as she talked to me. It was pure joy to communicate with her and to be in her presence was ecstasy. Her every wish was my command. When we were first married there was no task too great ! And none of it was a burden because I was in love! (I still am!)

Have you ever been "in love" with Jesus? Perhaps it was when you first met Him and received Him as your Lord and Savior. Do you remember when you were so preoccupied with Him you could think of little else...when you had to drag yourself off your knees because you couldn’t stop talking to Him in prayer...when you forced yourself to shut the Bible because you longed to hear Him say just one more thing? And did you then plunge into service because you just couldn’t do enough for Him?

When did things change? Did you become so busy serving Him that you no longer had time to be with and enjoy Him? When did you first notice that your work had overtaken your worship...that your prayers were primarily a shopping list of needs for service instead of praise...that your Bible reading was preparation for a Bible study or Sunday School lesson, not an attentive listening to His voice?

Jesus assessed the position of the Ephesian church in much the same way He does many of us in Christian ministry - you have fallen Rev. 2:5. You have fallen in your usefulness to God. You have fallen in your testimony before others. You have fallen in your personal relationship with Jesus.

Some time ago as I read this passage, I heard Jesus speaking to me. With bitter tears, I asked, "Lord, what would you have me do?" He replied by giving me 3 corrective steps that are found in verse 5: Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.

Step 1: Remember what a love relationship with Him was like. I remembered!

Step 2: Repent. Stop drifting away from Him. I knew I was willing!

Step 3: Return to your first love. I did!

As I waited and listened, He seemed to point out two "first things." I needed to return to the cross by faith and take a good look at what it had cost Jesus to take away my sin and bring me into a right love relationship with Himself. I returned to my knees. He then seemed to say I needed to return to what I had been doing when I was first in love with Him that had since slipped out of my life.

As I searched my life, I knew it was in-depth Bible study. Has something slipped out of your life since you fell in love with Him? Daily Bible Reading? Prayer? Fellowship with other believers? Witnessing? Has something else crept into your life that wasn’t there in the beginning? A sin? A wrong relationship or attitude? A habit? Would you remember, repent, and return?

Within a short while of my repentance and obedience, my joy and passionate love for Jesus was back. The pressures and responsibilities of service require a constant fight to keep my worship before my work. I must constantly look at Jesus, learn from Jesus, and listen to Jesus.

By Listening to Jesus
Jesus concluded His letter to the Ephesian church with a promise to those who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. To those who overcome their busyness and misplaced priorities, He guarantees. the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God Rev. 2:7. Since the tree of life represents eternal life, which is a personal, permanent, love relationship with Himself (see John 17:3), and since the paradise of God is where He is, then the promise is rich indeed! You are guaranteed the right to deep satisfaction and fulfillment as you live in the conscious awareness of God’s presence when you keep your worship of Jesus before your work.