We believe that the church at Ephesus did repent. If they were as good as the commendations imply, they would have heard this and repented without doubt. Yet it is possible that the situation could become so grave that a church might not repent. We have seen some large and famous churches come down and be judged and collapse into an awful state and condition. Might the failure to repent be the reason? Sometimes it is for other reasons. It is because unsaved people are allowed into the membership. It is because the world is trifled with, but here is one of the possible reasons.
‘Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first works.’ This is how you return to that love. You remember how it used to be. If you think it has happened to you, perhaps since your conversion you have maintained great love, but something has happened in the last year or two or the last month or two. You are not a hypocrite. You are not one of those who has become completely hard. You are still amenable and susceptible to the word, and you appreciate Christ more than anything else. But nevertheless there has been a diminution of love and obedience and commitment. Remember how it used to be. Remember the time when there was no settling down. How we can change! Be ashamed of it and be horrified at what is possible. Stop loving other things too much. Love other things, but keep them in proportion. Do not let your appreciation for anything else challenge your love for Christ. Be ready to end that habit that may have developed, to self-determination – I decide what I am going to do, and what we are going to have, and where we are going to be. Come to the throne of grace, submit everything to the Lord. Self-determination comes in so easily, and it comes especially into those who are good at organising, and good at leadership, and those who have good logical minds. They will take back the reigns of self-determination very easily; it can creep up on us all. So be very careful and repent.
Pray to God and ask him to give you back that deeper love, that special quality of love for Christ, and reflect on him daily. Reflect on what he means to you, what he has done for you. Express that love daily, meet with him daily, do not grow cold. Do not just praise him in church only. There is a tendency in the Christian heart to praise God in church and not to praise him on our knees as individuals. We offer some quick token prayers, and then we are into our needs. Perhaps they are worthy prayers, intercession for others, not necessarily selfish prayers, but not much praise and not much love. If that happens to us, we must go back to praising and thanking and worshipping and see him in your mind’s eye, not a true visualisation, but see him as being near you. And clear your heart daily of all sins, and think every day of what you should be doing for his cause.