From where you have fallen

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Revelation 2:1-5, ESV

If the LORD Jesus had not pointed out the flaw of the church at Ephesus, I daresay that you and I wouldn't have been able to find any thing wrong with it. We would have praised these people as members of the model church.

Their flaw was very real though. It mattered to Jesus how much desire they had for knowing Him intimately. Moreover, take heed to the fact that this cooling love, despite the works and character they exhibited in all else, could cost them their place in Him.

Today these realities have not changed. It's more serious a problem than we are usually taught and told.

• Confront yourself if necessary.
• Repent.
• Pursue Him again.

We know how to do it, for the most part.

We have great ideas of how to show, tell, and rekindle our affection to imperfect men and women who love us far less than He always will. Valentine's Day ideas, brainstorming for date-night activity, and all the good advice we give to friends for their relationships are proof that we know how to pursue the knowledge of someone, to give our time and attention to communication, to be diligent to please that other person. Consider that Christ did not merely save us from hell - He saved us for Himself, that we may know Him as we are known by Him. Are you growing in a knowledge of Him that is marked by love and manifested by diligent obedience?

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

Mark 12:30