Every church should be known for these five qualities: (1) working for the Kingdom, (2) persevering, (3) not being tolerant of sin, (4) examining the claims of ministries, and (5) enduring trials bravely. Yet doing all this without a passionate Love for Jesus Christ weakens our power and witness in the world.
Jesus spoke to the Beloved Disciple John to write in Revelation chapter 2:
1 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus. For these are the Words of the One who holds the seven stars firmly in His Right Hand, Who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
2 I know all that you’ve done for Me—you have worked hard and persevered. I know that you don’t tolerate evil. You have tested those who claimed to be apostles and proved they are not, for they were imposters. 3 I also know how you have bravely endured trials and persecutions because of My Name, yet you have not become discouraged. 4 But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate Love you had for me at the beginning. 5 Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of Love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent. 6 Although, to your credit, you despise the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also despise. 7 The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to all the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life that is found in the paradise of God.
Our first Love is the Love God has for us! We Love God because HE first Loved us. Being Loved deeply and eternally is the definition of our “first Love.” It is a Love that will be expressed by our passionate devotion to Jesus Christ, and seen in our relationships with others.
These are Words spoken by Jesus are among those which will not pass away as I wrote about yesterday. You can have plenty of works for The Kingdom but if you do not have the right motivation of Agape Love, your fruit will be lacking. This is why The Holy Spirit keeps having me emphasize the vital importance of Agape Love in our lives. Agape Love should be our motivating force causing us to speak, act, and give.
GOD is Love, Jesus is Love, and The Holy Spirit is Love. All Three reside spiritually in The Sons and Daughters as we have revealed those mysteries in past writings. If we are being led by The Holy Spirit, then we are led by Agape Love and given access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life.
The paradise of God is now found within the hearts of Jesus’ Loving followers. See Song. 4:11–15. The Tree of Life is Christ within us, the hope of glory. The fruit of that tree is reserved for those who overcome.
If you are not walking in this Agape Love, repent now! It is never too late. If you are being attacked by the adversary, be encouraged for FATHER always has the last move on your behalf against the adversary. I was recently attacked and overcame it. My response to the devil, “Is that all you got?” I was restored and encouraged by FATHER to persevere through these tests of faith. You can do the same.
The Greek word for “repent” is metanoia and means more than simply changing one’s mind. It means “to take another mind.” Every believer needs to turn from his or her error and take “another mind,” the Mind of Christ.
How do you take The Mind of Christ? Immerse yourself in HIS Word which reflects HIS Mind. Accept the Word at face value and let The Holy Spirit reveal the deep mysteries found within. The best translation of passages is where power and authority emanate from those passages. This is why I look at multiple translations when The Holy Spirit gives me a Scripture to dwell on. He shows me which translation reveals His Intent.
“So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches.” The Key is a passionate Love for Christ.