Living in Love
Revelation 2:2–3 (NKJV)
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
The church in Ephesus had an impressive résumé. They worked hard, stood firm in persecution, resisted evil, and discerned false teachers. If you were looking for a model church, Ephesus would be at the top of the list. But Jesus is about to point out something sobering: truth and endurance aren’t enough if love is missing. You can be doctrinally sound, uncompromising in righteousness, and steadfast in service, yet still drift from intimacy with Christ.
This is a danger for every believer. We can mistake activity for intimacy and obedience for affection. Like the Ephesians, we might keep showing up, serving faithfully, giving generously, and standing against compromise — but slowly, quietly, our hearts grow cold. What begins as passion becomes routine. What begins as delight becomes duty. Truth without tenderness, holiness without heart, leaves us looking alive on the outside but empty within.
Jesus commends the Ephesian church for their works and discernment, but He reminds them — and us — that truth must be held together with love. In fact, Paul once wrote to this very same church: “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Without love, truth can become harsh, brittle, and lifeless.
The message for us today is simple but piercing: Jesus doesn’t just want what we do for Him, He wants our hearts with Him. Works without love may impress people, but only love pleases God.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the truth of Your Word and the endurance You’ve given me in faith. But I don’t want to live with truth and works alone — I want to walk in intimacy with You. Guard me from an empty faith that looks strong but lacks love. Rekindle my heart so that everything I do flows from genuine devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
The church in Ephesus had an impressive résumé. They worked hard, stood firm in persecution, resisted evil, and discerned false teachers. If you were looking for a model church, Ephesus would be at the top of the list. But Jesus is about to point out something sobering: truth and endurance aren’t enough if love is missing. You can be doctrinally sound, uncompromising in righteousness, and steadfast in service, yet still drift from intimacy with Christ.
This is a danger for every believer. We can mistake activity for intimacy and obedience for affection. Like the Ephesians, we might keep showing up, serving faithfully, giving generously, and standing against compromise — but slowly, quietly, our hearts grow cold. What begins as passion becomes routine. What begins as delight becomes duty. Truth without tenderness, holiness without heart, leaves us looking alive on the outside but empty within.
Jesus commends the Ephesian church for their works and discernment, but He reminds them — and us — that truth must be held together with love. In fact, Paul once wrote to this very same church: “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Without love, truth can become harsh, brittle, and lifeless.
The message for us today is simple but piercing: Jesus doesn’t just want what we do for Him, He wants our hearts with Him. Works without love may impress people, but only love pleases God.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the truth of Your Word and the endurance You’ve given me in faith. But I don’t want to live with truth and works alone — I want to walk in intimacy with You. Guard me from an empty faith that looks strong but lacks love. Rekindle my heart so that everything I do flows from genuine devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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