耶稣认识每一个教会群体里的每一个人，祂知道我们的长处，也知道我们的软弱。以弗所的信众忍耐持守真道，他们得到耶稣的称赞；然而，有一个品格缺陷需要立刻引起他们的注意，就是他们把最初的爱心丢弃了。
这个启示对我们有很大影响力。教会群体可以是上帝真理的坚定捍卫者，但是他们对神的爱却可能会褪色。神奇妙的恩典、怜悯、和慈爱充满我们、洗净我们、淹没我们、和更新我们，神就是这样爱我们的了。神的爱似乎令人难以置信，我们纵然不配得神任何的爱，然而祂对我们的爱却是无穷尽的。
每一个教会群体和其中的每一个成员，都需要不断细尝神奇妙的恩典慈爱和活在这爱中，我们需要用各种方式，藉着唱的诗歌、献上的祷告、与人分享的故事，守的圣礼、和对人的关怀，来庆祝和颂扬神的爱。
在这封信中，耶稣用“悔改”这个字词，领我们回到祂开始公开传道时所说的话。这是一个促使人们回头、改变方向、和返回正途的呼召。教会群体若要被圣灵充满、成为“金灯台”，我们就必需要有强烈的爱在我们的血管中奔流。
“耶和华啊，你已经鉴察我、认识我。”神啊，求你带领我再一次记得你对我奇妙的爱，又帮助我忠心于你。阿们。
启示录 2:4-7
4‘然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。
5所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。
6然而，你还有一件可取的事，就是你恨恶尼哥拉一党人的行为，这也是我所恨恶的。
7圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。’
“Yet, I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4
Jesus knows each church community and each person in it. He knows our strengths. He knows our weaknesses. The community of believers at Ephesus received praise from Jesus for persevering in the truth. Yet there was a character flaw that needed their immediate attention. They had lost their first love.
This is a powerful revelation. Church communities can be faithful defenders of God’s truth, but their love for God can also grow cold. Love is what happens when the amazing grace, mercy, and love of God wash over us, cleansing us, flooding our souls, and making us new. It seems incredible, but God loves us without limit, though we do not deserve any of his love.
Every church community and every member of it needs to linger and live in the wonder of God’s gracious love. We need ways to remember and celebrate this love in the songs we sing, the prayers we raise, the stories we share, the sacraments we celebrate, and the care we give to others.
Jesus uses a word in this letter that brings us back to the way he started his public ministry: “repent.” This is a call to turn around, change direction, and get back on course. For church communities to be Spirit-filled, “golden lampstands,” the passion of love needs to be pulsing through our veins.
“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Bring me back to remembering your amazing love for me, O God, and help me to be faithful. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
