"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 3:4).

The church in Ephesus was thoroughly orthodox, even ready to fight to the limit for foundation
truth, and refusing to listen to those who would pervert it. But they had left their first love. That
is, in heart they had turned away from occupation with the Lord Himself, They were far more
ready- to contend for doctrine than to be taken up with Christ. This is a snare to which we are all
exposed. It is of great importance that we be sound in the faith. It is even more important that our
hearts are filled with fervent love for Him who has so loved us as to give Himself for us. This
church, too, had labored much. Its members could not be accused of slothful-ness. But work
without love is of little value in the eyes of Him who, moved by His love to the Father and His
love for us, was to go to the cross that He might purchase our redemption.

Shall we not examine our own hearts, and if we find that love is lacking, confess our coldness and
indifference, and seek to repent and do the first works_those which are the result of faith that
worketh by love?

(From The Daily Sacrifice.)