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THE REPENTANCE PRINCIPLE:
We humble ourselves before the Lord... [Jam 4:10 NIV] We turn away from idols to God so that now the living and true God only is our Master. [1 Thess 1:9]

6. THE REPENTANCE PRINCIPLE:

We humble ourselves before the Lord... [Jam 4:10 NIV] We turn away from idols to God so that now the living and true God only is our Master. [1 Thess 1:9]

The letter to the church of Ephesus instructs us about basic issues. The Lord attributes much good to this church. But Ephesus manifested one glaring deficiency.

Misguided busy-ness

The Lord could say of this church, "I know your works, your labor" Rev. 2:2. They were busy doing the right things. The church bulletin was full to overflowing with activities.

The Rebuke

In the midst of their activity, the Lord had one thing against them: "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Rev. 2:4. The activity was right, but the attitude was wrong.

They had lost their passion for the Lord Jesus. They had been working hard, but the motive had changed. Consequently, they had probably not only lost their love for the Lord Jesus, but also the love for each other.

We may serve one another, but our motives may be wrong. We may be doing it to get recognition, we may do it because we don't want others to be angry with us. We may try to please others, because we want to earn their love.

This does not mean that we have to have warm, bubbly feelings whenever we meet others needs. But the basic motivation centers on others, rather than focusing on ourselves.

Can you give some examples where you have done the right activities for the wrong reasons?

The Challenge

The Lord gives to the Ephesians a solution and it applies to us as well. "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 " Rev. 2:5. This challenge has three points to it.

• REMEMBER - They were to recall how things were when they had a fervent love for the Lord.

• REPENT - they were to turn around and go the opposite direction. The decline from first love perhaps had been gradual. Having come to the point of recognition as to what was happening, they were to turn around and return to that love that they had once had.

• REPEAT - They were to go back and do the first works. That demonstrates a true repentance. Lives were to get back in to adjustment with the Lord. The wonderful thrill of doing the right works with the right motive is that joy replaces drudgery.

How can we return to first love without being phony about it?

Remember:

Right Actions Must Be done with the Right Motive.