A Message For The Backslidden Church

Jesus has an important message for the Church that has left their first love, their Savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s read and discuss what He has to say to the Backslidden Church.

But let’s first read Revelation 2: 1-7.

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “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. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ 

This message is written to the Church of Ephesus, which also applies to the modern Church today. First of all, the name Ephesus signifies the spiritual condition of this body of believers. Ephesus means to let go or to relax. (See End Notes.) This is exactly what the Church of Ephesus does, it let’s go of their first love, their Redeemer, Jesus. They fall out of love with Him, and just go through the motions.

He tells us the reason for this in Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

2 Timothy 7:21-23 tells us that “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

These are people who call themselves believers in Jesus, who prophesy, cast out demons and produce miracles. The Lord says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.“ (See Matthew 15:8.) We are forewarned about this in  2 Timothy 3: 1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

This is the condition of the Church of Ephesus, and the Backslidden Church today. And according to Proverbs 3:12 because He loves us He rebukes, disciplines and tells us to be earnest and to repent.  And He has the following rebuke and warning for this portion of the Church today. He says,  “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.“

The Bible tells us how to overcome in this area. “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” (See 2 Peter 1:5-9.)

And Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us how not to grow weary and lose heart, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

It all begins with a decision to look within and see where you are at spiritually with the Lord. David cries out to the Lord, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24.) I encourage you to do the same.

Let’s pray.

Father God,

I come to You today, and ask for Your forgiveness because my heart is far from You. I am just going through the motions. I need Your help to find my way back to You. I want to be faithful to You until the end my days. I want to hear You say to me, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (See Matthew 25:23.) I thank You for forgiving me, and receiving me back to You. I love You.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

End Notes

1. Ephesus https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/larkin/dt/22.cfm

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© 2014 Author Becky Dvorak–Healing and Miracles International, All rights reserved.