Dear Lighthouse,

 

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:  These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  I know your deeds…”

 

            These words open Revelation 2.  This section of Scripture is one of my favorites because it is revealing.  It reveals that God is watching us and is keenly interested in His people.  It shows God’s judgment as fair, balanced, and righteous.  He begins with the positives, where there are positives, of each of the seven churches He is addressing.  Then He moves directly to the negatives.  He is fair.  God sees our deeds - all of them - good and bad.  I wonder, how would the verse above end if He were talking to you or me? 

 

“…your hard work and your perseverance.  I know that cannot tolerate wicked men, that you … have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”

 

What deeds has He seen in us recently?  I don’t want you to begin thinking guilty thoughts at this point.  I want you to think fairly, balanced and clear.  What have you done that is good in His sight?  Have you been sharing your faith?  Have you been in communication with Him in Bible reading and prayer?  Are you encouraging others, meeting peoples needs, growing spiritually at a personal level, instructing your children about God, and loving those that do not love you?  What would He say to you?

            Now, remembering that it is not our deeds that earn us righteousness - instead it is a gift from God when we make the commitment to Him in belief, faith, obedience, repentance, and baptism - think about what His rebuke would be.

 

“Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height from which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first.”

 

            What about it?  Has sin crept in and taken root?  Are you struggling with hidden temptations that you’re really not sure you want to give up so your struggle is nothing more than a feint attempt?  Have you neglected leading your family toward God?  Have you neglected your relationship with God to pursue money, entertainment, or personal desires?  Have you forsaken the duties God has given you?  I ask these things not to lay a sense of guilt on you, but to wake us both up.  If you have fallen into sinful habits again, repent!

 

“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

 

It is time to listen to Jesus’ words on these subjects.  Sin is serious.  James states that when sin is fully grown it gives birth to death.  (James 1:15)  I caution us all, do not let sin grow!  Really reflect on what Jesus would say to you and examine your life.  Has sin snuck in?  Then return to God. 

I’m convinced that the most sinister attack upon the Christian in America is apathy.  We do not care to examine our lives and thus give in to apathy. It makes us sleepy and whimsical until one day we awaken to the fact that we are mired in sin and we are pulling those around us down as we go. 

If you are a Christian, sin is defeated by Christ in your life.  If Christ is in you, then you are anxious to repent of the sin that worms its way inside.  If you refuse to repent, then you need to re-examine your relationship with God to see if it is authentic.  Grace is the most precious gift given by God to Man.  Do not take it for granted.  Do not misuse it.  Do not throw it away.  There are consequences for pursuing a life of evil and not repenting.  Grace is given to those who turn from their deeds of darkness and step into the light of the Son.  Continual, persistent sin is not the mark of a true Christian. 

So, where do you find yourself?  Is Christ speaking of your good deeds or giving you a rebuke?  Probably, like the Church at Ephesus, a little of both.  I encourage you to reflect on your first love - your relationship with God - repent of your sins and return to Him.  He’s waiting.  For if you don’t, you are forgetting that He is indeed the judge.  If you continue to do what is wrong and neglect to do what is needed, Christ Himself may intervene.  This is true for individuals just as it is for churches.

 

“To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

 

- Rev 2:1-7