By David Faust
If you ever get a chance to visit Ephesus, I encourage you to go there. It’s one of the most impressive archeological sites in the world. In the first century, Ephesus boasted upscale houses with running water, a paved main street that served as a dramatic thoroughfare, and an enormous outdoor theater that seated thousands. These sites have all been excavated for today’s travelers to see.
To picture the spiritual environment of first-century Ephesus, imagine the sensuality of Las Vegas combined with the economic impact of New York City and the religious influence of Rome. Idolatrous rituals and sexual debauchery took place at the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis—an imposing structure 425 feet long and 220 feet wide, with 127 pillars supporting its 60-foot-high roof.
God opened “a great door for effective work” in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8-9, New International Version). Paul’s two-year ministry there had such far-reaching impact that the whole province (in what we call Turkey today) heard the gospel (Acts 19:8-10). Later, the Ephesian elders joined Paul in an emotional time of encouragement and prayer (Acts 20:17-38). Timothy ministered in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3), and tradition says the apostle John served there as well. Paul sent the Ephesians a personal letter, explaining great themes of redemption and offering practical guidance about the Christian life.
A Missing Ingredient
In the book of Revelation, Christ himself sent letters to seven churches in Asia Minor, and he addressed his first letter to the believers in Ephesus.
The Lord praised them for refusing to tolerate wickedness, and he complimented their hard work and perseverance. If the busy Ephesian church could’ve had a website, it would have been loaded with news about meetings and ministries. The Christians there were loyal to the Lord through hard times.
But despite these positive qualities, they lacked one key ingredient. The Lord said, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” He said, “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Revelation 2:4-5).
Not long after they were guided by outstanding leaders like Paul, Timothy, and John, the Christians in Ephesus somehow lost their first love. They were still doing the right things, but their love for Christ was stale as a slice of wedding cake a month after the wedding, as droopy as a wilted rose that’s gone days without water. The spark was gone. Christ was no longer their daily bread; he was barely a sentence on the menu.
Love matures and deepens through the years, but there are things we should never outgrow.
There’s a simplicity about first love. In the early days of a relationship, the one you love is the focus of your attention, always on your mind. There’s a lavishness about first love. You don’t hold back. You’re willing to spend extra money, give extra gifts, go the extra mile. There’s a vitality about first love. You don’t watch the clock when you’re with that special person. You’re hopeful, optimistic, focused on the future. There’s a singlemindedness about first love. Nothing else seems to matter. You’re eager to please, learn about, and talk about the one you love. And so it should be with our love for Christ.
A Challenge for Us
Do we love Jesus today more than we did in the past? Do we love him more than we love being right, or being comfortable?
Beautiful church buildings mean nothing if they aren’t filled with God’s love. Impressive programs and flashy staging mean nothing if they aren’t motivated by love for the Lord.
Is Christ first in our hearts? Paul closed his letter to the Ephesians with a blessing we should never forget. “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love” (Ephesians 6:24).
This is the first in a series of weekly articles based on Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Next week: “The Poor Rich Church.”
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
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