Light and Love

July 13th, 2025

Revelation 2:1-7.

John’s message to the church in Ephesus began with praise, but things took a jarring turn with the accusation from Christ that they had forsaken the love they had at first. The church’s love for God, and consequently for people, was no longer their defining characteristic. They had fallen far and needed to either repent or face the most crushing consequence imaginable: Jesus removing their lampstand from its place. How could they be considered the bride of Christ, shining His light in the world, if they did not love God and others first and foremost?

All of the good deeds, hard work, and perseverance in the world are but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal if love for God and others is not central (v. 2; 1 Corinthians 13:1-4). If we are honest, the church today is guilty at times of forsaking love in order to be “right” or to “do the right things.” May we heed Jesus’ warning: If we cease to overflow with love for God and others in everything we think, say, and do, our light will be snuffed out. Let us repent and return to the love we had at first.

Author: Miranda Musick