From Glory to Glory Or From Mess to Mess?

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
— 2 Corinthians 3:18

Most believers quote the verse above when they are facing a difficult challenge. I did the same thing for many years. I often told myself, “Soon this mess will be over, and when it is, we’re headed to the next level of glory that God has for us! This won’t last long. We’re going from glory to glory!”

But one day I was pondering this verse and thinking deeply about what it meant to go from glory to glory. Suddenly it struck me that it doesn’t say we are going from a mess to glory. It says we are going from glory to glory — in other words, from a current glorious place to another higher glorious place.

This clearly means that you and I won’t be promoted to the next realm of glory until the realm where we presently live is glorious. So if we want to go upward into a greater glory, we have to first make glorious the place where we are living and functioning right now.

When I saw this, it made me want to take a good, hard look at my life and ministry. I asked myself: Am I living in a glorious stage, or am I stuck in an ugly, messy stage of my life? I realized that according to this verse, I wouldn’t be moving upward into the next great and glorious phase God had for me until the situation I currently found myself in became glorious! Only then would God promote me to the next level of glory He had planned for my life.

So I began to ask myself:

Second Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” I find it very interesting that the first part of this verse talks about us having “open faces.” The word “open” is the Greek word anakalupto, which means to unveil, to uncover, or to disclose. However, the Greek tense doesn’t refer to a one-time unveiling, but to a veil that, once lifted, remains lifted forever.

When I saw this, I immediately understood another very vital truth: We must be willing to permanently remove the veil from our eyes and to take an honest look in the mirror in order to truthfully acknowledge the condition of our present stage. Only after we have truthfully seen and acknowledged what we are can we make a sincere decision to change. A truthful recognition of the facts is part of the process that removes the veil from our eyes so the Lord can correct us, change us, transform us, and prepare us to move upward into the next glorious phase for our lives. That is precisely why the apostle Paul went on to say that we are “changed” after the veil is removed from our eyes.

The word “changed” is the Greek word metamorpho. It is a compound of the words meta and morphoo. The word meta carries the idea of an exchange, while the word morphoo is the Greek word for a person’s outward form. Together, the compound word means to transfigure or transform one’s appearance. The word metamorphoo is never used in the Old Testament Septuagint, and it appears only four times in the New Testament. It is used in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 to describe the transfiguration of Jesus. Paul also uses it in Romans 12:3 to tell us that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And finally, Paul again uses the word metamorphoo here in Second Corinthians 3:18.

There is no doubt that the word “changed” speaks of an actual, real transformation of our minds and even our outward appearance. The Holy Spirit lets us know through Paul that we can actually exchange our present appearance, our current status, for one that is more glorious. If we sincerely desire it, we can move upward and into the glory that God has prepared for us!

Now, we can try to hide our heads in the sand and pretend that everything in our lives is glorious when it is not, but that does not make everything glorious. In fact, denial of the truth will just keep us stuck in the same hard place for a longer period of time. To move into the next phase of our life in God, we must be willing to lift the veil from our eyes and acknowledge that we need to be transformed!

It may be difficult on your flesh and pride, but eventually a time comes when you must look in the mirror to see what is really there! Self-deception is very costly. Telling yourself that everything is all right when it isn’t may temporarily relieve you from the pain of having to look at the facts head-on. But in the end, ignoring the facts will cost you so much more in terms of time, heartbreak, and defeat.

Truthfulness can be painful, but the pain is short-lived and in the end produces tremendous change. But the kind of change I am describing to you today is only initiated when you are willing to get honest with yourself and with God about your behavior, your attitudes, and the condition of every area of your life at this present moment. If you’re willing to remove the veil from your eyes and let the Holy Spirit really show you the areas where you need to be transformed, He will change you. And as this kind of transformation begins to work in you, you will become more and more prepared for upward movement and promotion in your life.

So establish this truth in your heart today: If the stage of life you are in right now is not glorious, you will be stuck in the current mess until you become willing to take off the veil, look honestly at your situation, and begin to make the changes that are required to make your present status more glorious! Once you’ve done that, God will be ready to move you upward and onward to the next more glorious place you are longing to experience!

Yes, it’s true that God wants to take you from glory to glory. However, He isn’t bothered if He has to wait until you correctly finish your current task. God has lots of time. But when you get serious about doing what is necessary to make your present situation glorious, you signal to the Holy Spirit that it’s time to open the way to the next glorious phase God has planned for your life!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I want to take the veil off my eyes and get honest about my situation. I can see that much of my present life is not glorious. I have wanted You to promote me from my mess to a new level of glory, but I see now that Your promotions always move from one level of glory to a higher level of glory. Show me every area in my life that needs to be changed, and help me give You complete liberty to transform those parts of my life. I want to go to a higher level of glory, Lord, so I am asking You to help me first make my present situation a glorious testimony of Your grace!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that by God’s grace, I am making my present situation more and more glorious! I have asked the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and to help me see those parts of my life that need to be transformed. As He shows me these areas, I will diligently pray about them and do everything I can to allow God to change me so this present season of my life can become glorious. Because the Holy Spirit sees my willingness to go through the necessary transformation process, He is preparing to move me upward into a more glorious phase in my life. I am going from glory to glory!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. What are the areas of your life that are not glorious — the areas you most need to work on?

2. Now that you know God will not promote you higher until you have made your current status glorious, what changes do you need to make in your life right now to get ready for the next step upward?

3. Write down the steps you are going to take to turn your messes into shining examples that will open the way for God to start the promotion process in your life.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works….
— Revelation 2:5

It’s not enough just to say you’re sorry. That is not genuine repentance. Real repentance, as described on March 18 and 19, describes an inward change that results in outward change. Real, inward repentance shows forth evidence that repentance has occurred. Jesus told the church at Ephesus that they needed to repent and “do the first works.” That word “do” refers to the outward actions I am describing — the outward proof of repentance.

The word “do” is the Greek word poieo, a word that is used 568 times in the New Testament; thus, its meaning is well established in New Testament writings. It literally means to do, but it actually conveys much more. This word poieo describes all types of activity, particularly the idea of creativity. For example, the Greek word poietes — a form of the word poieo — is the source of the word poet, which denotes one who has the extraordinary ability to write or create a certain literary form. Thus, this word describes doing that produces results.

Because the word poieo is connected to the creative activity of an author, poet, or painter, let’s pause to consider what is required for this type of creative person to produce excellent work. It takes concentration and commitment for a poet to write a poem or for an artist to paint a masterpiece. The person must free himself from all distractions so his mind, emotions, and talent can focus on the specific project before him. When an author or artist can concentrate exclusively on a creative assignment, he is able to put forth an all-out effort and release his full potential to produce a masterful work. Although it may be true that a great work can be produced with intermittent interruptions, the removal of distractions for the purpose of a more concentrated focus enables one to achieve the best results with greater speed.

This is significant in light of Revelation 2:5, where the tense of the word poieo calls for urgent and quick action. Anything less than a serious response would be found insufficient. Therefore, great effort, prayer, and concentration would be required if the Ephesian believers were to return to their first love and replicate the works that accompanied their early faith.

It is obvious that Christ expected the best from these believers — which would only be achieved if they responded to Him with their best effort. And because the Greek tense demands urgent and quick action, it is certain that Jesus wasn’t willing to wait endlessly for them to respond. If they didn’t heed His words, they would lose their position of spiritual leadership in Asia (see Revelation 2:5).

But what specifically was Jesus commanding this church to do? He told them in verse 5: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works….”

The phrase “first works” comes from the Greek words prota erga. The word prota means first or early, and the word erga means works, deeds, or activity, conveying the idea of work that is produced by consistent and tireless effort. Although the King James Version translates this Greek phrase as “first works,” it could actually be interpreted, “the actions that were indicative of you at the first” or “the things you did in the very beginning.”

Jesus commanded them to return to their “first works.” He was referring to the words, deeds, and activities that characterized the Ephesian congregation at the beginning of their spiritual journey when they first fell in love with Jesus Christ.

What were these “first works” that once distinguished the church of Ephesus? Scripture reveals several characteristics of this prominent church in its early beginnings:

All of the qualities listed above characterized this passionate, vibrant congregation in its early years. The fact that Christ called for them to return to doing these “first works” doesn’t necessarily mean they had become completely void of these attributes. However, it is evident that the intensity of their zeal had radically diminished. Thus, Christ urged them to remember, to repent, and to do the first works for these reasons:

In Revelation 2:5, Jesus continued with His message to the Ephesian believers: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly….”

The words “or else” would be better translated, “and if not.” The Ephesian church had a decision to make, and Christ anticipated that they would do what He asked of them. But if they did not, He warned them, “…I will come unto thee quickly.”

The phrase “I will come” is a translation of the Greek word erchomai, which describes an event that would indeed take place if the Ephesian believers didn’t meet Jesus’ requirements. If they failed to do what He asked of them, they could expect Him to come to them with judgment, for the issues at hand were far too serious to ignore. The choice had been set before the congregation at Ephesus: They must repent or Christ would remove them from their place of prominence among the other churches.

There is no Greek word in the original text for this word “quickly”; rather, it was added by the translators to help convey the urgency of the situation. Yet even as Jesus gave the Ephesian church this urgent warning, He also gave them the time frame they needed to respond to His request.

In the apostle John’s vision of the exalted Christ, he saw that Jesus’ feet were “like unto fine brass” (Revelation 1:15). Brass in Scripture represents judgment, which tells us that Christ was prepared to bring judgment if necessary. But brass or bronze is heavy; therefore, it is difficult to quickly move an object made of these metals. The fact that Jesus’ feet appeared as made of bronze clearly sent the message that when Christ moves to bring judgment, He does not rush. Rather, He moves slowly in that direction, providing ample time for the repentance that will prevent the impending judgment.

Nevertheless, Jesus made it clear to the Ephesian congregation that if they resisted His pleadings, He would have to come to them in judgment. Thus, He warned them, “I will come unto thee quickly.” The phrase “unto thee” (or “to you”) is the Greek word soi, which means directly to you. The use of this word soi made Christ’s warning to the Ephesians extremely direct and personal. The time allowed for repentance had already been set, and Jesus was walking toward them with His feet of bronze. If His voice was ignored, the outcome would be inevitable: Judgment would surely follow.

At the conclusion of Revelation 2:5, Jesus said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

The grammar used here implies again that Christ rebuked the Ephesian congregation with an expectation that they would repent; however, this outcome wasn’t certain. This tells us how far the church of Ephesus had regressed in its spiritual passion. Jesus’ warning to these believers was very direct, personal, and clear. Yet they had drifted so far from the fiery love for Him they had once known. The seeds of institutionalized religion seemed to have already begun to control them so much that Christ didn’t say with absolute certainty that they would pass this test.

What about you? Is Jesus speaking to you today, calling you to return to a simple, passionate love for Him? Will you respond and pass the test? These questions that I’ve asked you in the past few days of Sparkling Gems are very important. Christ is watching, and He is waiting to see how you will respond to the dealings of His Spirit. If you’ve become stagnant and cold, are you going to respond by returning to the fires of His Spirit that once burned brightly within your heart — or are you going to remain as you are? Only you can answer this question — but be assured, Jesus is awaiting your response today!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I am deeply convicted by what I have read today. I recognize that You are calling me deeper and higher, and it is my responsibility to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and to respond to what I have read. I repent for backsliding — for letting my once passionately intimate relationship with you slip and be replaced by other worldly concerns. I admit that I’ve done this, and I confess my sins and repent according to First John 1:9 and I receive full forgiveness. Now that I am free, I reclaim what I have lost, and I move forward to obtain what You have for me in the future.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I repent for allowing worldliness and other things to take the place that belongs only to You. I lay hold of a new level of commitment that results in renewed love for You. You are watching and waiting to see how I will respond to the dealings of Your Spirit. I profess that I return to my first love.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Take an honest examination of your spiritual state: Do you possess a great hunger for the things of God? Do you cherish and prize God’s Word above all else? Are you eager to repent or turn away from wrongdoing so you can stay in proper alignment with God?
  2. Has the intensity of your spiritual zeal radically diminished? Are you in passionate pursuit of knowing the Lord intimately? If your fervor for the Lord has diminished, what caused that change? What must you do to return to your first love?
  3. A person who confesses his sin with no intention of changing is doing nothing more than admitting his guilt instead of exhibiting genuine repentance. What do you need to repent of? What corresponding actions must follow your decision?

Be Proud of the Fruit Produced by Your Personal Investments!

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.
— 2 Thessalonians 1:4

Have you ever been so proud of someone that you just wanted to brag and boast about him or her for a few minutes? When you’ve invested a lot of your own time, talents, and energy into people you love and then you see them prospering and growing strong in the Lord, it’s normal for you to want to shout and rejoice about it!

This is how my wife and I feel when we see our own sons. They are strong in the Lord, active in His service, and committed to do what He wants them to do. As parents, it simply thrills our hearts, and we have every God-given right to be proud of them and thankful for what is happening in their lives! They are diligent, serious, and unwilling to give in to fatigue or discouragement; they just keep marching forward like soldiers. Of course we are proud of our sons and have every right to feel that way!

We feel the same way about the men and women we have discipled and poured our lives into over the years. When they came to us, many of them were young and inexperienced, but so hungry to grow and to learn. They were willing to be taught, to be corrected, to be instructed, and to pay the heavy price we demanded of them. We weren’t interested in developing only believers — we were working to produce real disciples. So when we see them standing strong in their own ministries, firm in faith and growing in grace, wisdom, and mercy, it simply thrills our hearts!

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he was so proud of them and the way they walked in faith and patience that he said: “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.”

I want you to notice that Paul declared how proud he was of the Thessalonians. He said, “We ourselves glory in [or about] you in the churches of God.” In this phrase, Paul used the Greek word egkauchaomai. This is the only time this word is found in the New Testament, although it was frequently used in the secular literature of New Testament times. It means to brag, to boast, to give praise, or to speak laudatory words.

Paul was proud of the Thessalonians. As a spiritual father to them, he was thrilled with the growth they were experiencing. This is a healthy type of pride — the same kind of pride a father feels for his children when they do well. He went on to list the reasons he was so proud of them: “…for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.” Let’s look at each of these words one by one.

The word “patience” is a favorite word in Paul’s epistles. It is the compound Greek word hupomene, and it paints the picture of one who is under a heavy load but refuses to bend, break, or surrender because he is convinced that the territory, promise, or principle under assault rightfully belongs to him. This word denotes a refusal to give up and an attitude that is determined to receive what is promised or hoped for. The King James Version translates it “patience,” but a better rendering would be endurance.

This word tells us, first of all, that the Thessalonians were under severe pressure. They lived in an environment that was aggressively anti-Christian. Every day of their lives, they were affronted and assaulted for their faith. Yet regardless of how severe the pressure became, they refused to surrender to these attacks or to throw in the towel of defeat. Paul was proud of them for their conviction to stand tall and steadfast in spite of what they were facing!

Then Paul said he was proud of them because of their “faith.” The Greek word for faith is pistis. The very nature of the Greek word pistis, translated faith, denotes a force that is forward-directed and aggressive — never passive or backward-reaching, but always reaching forward to obtain or achieve a specific target or goal.

This means that the Thessalonians never drew back or retreated simply because they ran into difficult or hard times. Instead, their faith was like an arrow that had been shot and could not be retracted, constantly reaching forward to grab hold of God’s promises. Paul recognized that this was real faith, and he was proud of the Thessalonian believers for never backing up on the promises of God!

Paul went on to describe the intensity of problems the Thessalonians were encountering. He mentions this because their problems were not normal, but problems of the most severe and difficult kind. Paul used the word “persecution” to describe the events that were coming against them. This is the Greek word dioko, a commonly used word in Paul’s epistles, meaning to pursue, to follow after, or to aggressively seek after.

This word was first used as a hunting term to denote the actions of a hunter who strives to follow after, to apprehend, to capture, or to kill an animal. Thus, the word can be translated “to hunt.” This same word is also translated “to persecute” throughout the New Testament, indicating the brutal nature of persecution that was experienced by the Thessalonian church. They were viciously and relentlessly pursued.

As if this is not enough, Paul informs us that the Thessalonians had experienced some kind of life-threatening “tribulation.” The word “tribulation” comes from the Greek word thlipsis, a favorite with Paul when he described the difficult events he and his team encountered in ministry. This Greek word thlipsis is so strong that it leaves no room to misunderstand the intensity of these persecutions. It conveys the idea of a heavy-pressure situation.

One scholar says the word thlipsis was first used to describe the specific act of tying a victim with a rope, laying him on his back, and then placing a huge boulder on top of him until his body was crushed. Paul used this word to alert us to moments when he or others went through grueling, crushing situations that would have been unbearable, intolerable, and impossible to survive if it had not been for the help of the Holy Spirit.

But in this scripture, Paul used this same word to tell us what the Thessalonian believers had undergone. As noted above, their problems were not normal but of the most serious nature. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it would have been enough to crush them — but they weren’t crushed. They were still walking in faith; they were pushing forward to obtain the promises of God; and they were believing for victory!

Then Paul used the word “endure” to denote the attitude with which they had faced these obstacles and moments of opposition. The word “endure” is from the Greek word anechomai, which means to put up with, to endure, or to bear up under. Yet this word doesn’t portray the sufferer as one who simply surrenders to defeat, but rather as one who exhibits an attitude of fortitude and resistance to such negative forces.

When you put all this together, Second Thessalonians 1:4 could be translated:

“We are so impressed with what God has done among you that, when we tell all of God’s churches about you, we’re outright braggadocios! We proudly tell them about your refusal to bend to pressure; your resolve to never abandon or give up what belongs to you; your commitment to hang in there, no matter how heavy the load; and your determination to “stay put” until your hopes are realized. We’ve also told them how your faith has remained aggressive and forward-directed, regardless of the ordeals you’ve been through — such as those times when you’ve been hunted down like animals and relentlessly pursued. Your faith has stayed out front, despite the horribly tight, life-threatening, terrifically stressful situations you have undergone but steadfastly resisted.”

I don’t know about you, but when I read all of this, it makes me want to be sure that I belong to the ranks of the Thessalonians! We have the same Holy Spirit living in us who lived inside the Thessalonian believers. If they could live so triumphantly for the Lord in their difficult position, you and I can make the decision to live victoriously for Jesus Christ in our situations too. Amen?

My Prayer for Today

Lord, help me invest my life in people who will grow strong and who will bring forth good fruit! I want to give my life to people who are going to do something in this world. I want to know that I have made a difference in the life of someone who is going to make a difference in the lives of others. The last thing I want is to have lived this life without ever making a personal investment in anyone else, so please help me recognize those people You want me to pour myself into. Then give me the wisdom and grace to pull up alongside and share with them the treasure You have placed in me!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I bear good fruit in the lives of people whom God has called me to help! They are growing! They are prospering! They are learning to overcome the evil one! They are strong, stable, resilient, reliable, faithful, and committed to do whatever it takes for them to fulfill the assignment Jesus Christ has given them. My fruit is good fruit — fruit that remains! In this I know that my Father is glorified, because I am producing the kind of fruit that brings glory to His name!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Who is that person or group of people God has called you to disciple? If you are not actively discipling someone right now, why aren’t you?

2. How does it affect you when you see that those you’ve poured your life into are doing well and growing strong in the Spirit? Does it make you want to stand tall, throw back your shoulders, and rejoice in the Lord that good fruit is being produced in them?

3. Do you take the time to let these individuals know how proud you are of them? How long has it been since you’ve put your arm around someone’s shoulder and let him know how pleased you are about what is happening in his life?

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent….
— Revelation 2:5

In this modern age, people want to be comforted and told that everything is going to be all right. But the truth is, some things are not going to be all right in people’s lives unless they make a decision to repent and change. In those cases, it is sometimes up to us to love people enough to be honest with them, no matter how painful it is for them to hear the truth. This type of spiritual pain is good for people to experience because it makes them aware that things are not right between them and God.

You may remember from the March 18 Sparkling Gem that the word “repent” is the Greek word metanoeo and means a change of mind, repentance, or conversion. The Septuagint used this word in the Old Testament to depict the prophet’s call to the people to turn or to change their attitudes and ways.

In the New Testament, metanoeo, or “repent,” has the same meaning, but the force is much stronger. It demands a decision to completely change or to entirely turn around in the way one is thinking, believing, or living. This word “repent” gives the image of a person changing from top to bottom — a total transformation wholly affecting every part of a person’s life.

Because Christ loves us, He often confronts us with painful truths about ourselves and then calls on us to repent. At that point, we must make the decision to turn from the sin in our lives and remove every action, attitude, or relationship from our lives that grieves Him and hurts us.

In Revelation 2:5, Jesus didn’t mitigate the truth; rather, He had a straightforward confrontation with the Ephesians as He told them that they had allowed their relationship with Him to slip. This congregation was viewed as the model church — an example for churches throughout other parts of the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, Jesus said its members and leadership were “fallen” compared to what they had experienced earlier with Him. The passionate, on-fire relationship they had once enjoyed with Jesus had slipped away as they became lost in the sophistication of ministry.

When the pastor of the Ephesian church heard this message from Christ, it must have pained his heart; yet it was his responsibility as the messenger of the church to pass this message on to the entire congregation. One can only imagine the pain these early believers felt when they heard Jesus’ words to them, urging them to put everything on pause and to take the time to remember the intimate relationship they had enjoyed with Him in the past. It must have profoundly affected the Ephesian congregation when they compared their passionate love for Christ in those earlier days to the body of believers they had become — spiritually sophisticated but distant from the Lord in their hearts.

Psalm 51 provides a vivid example of genuine repentance and is, in fact, called David’s psalm of repentance. In this psalm, one can sense not only David’s sorrow but also his decision to change. In verse 17, he wrote about a heart that is broken over sin: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” The word “contrite” is the Old Testament expression for someone who is genuinely repentant for what he has done. This is a person who has recognized his wrong, decided to change, and now desires to live uprightly.

This was the spiritual condition to which Christ was calling the congregation of Ephesus. He confronted them with the truth: that although they had continued to serve Jesus and to faithfully go through the motions, little by little their spiritual zeal had begun to wane. Then He compelled them to acknowledge — just as He compels us today — that they needed to repent and return to Him, thereby rekindling the fire that once burned so brightly in their hearts.

When necessary, Christ calls entire churches to repent. Besides the churches in the book of Revelation, another scriptural example is the Corinthian congregation, to whom Paul brought correction for their many acts of carnality. When the Corinthian believers received Paul’s first letter and recognized that God was speaking to them through the apostle, they were moved with fear to purge themselves of the sin in their midst that had grieved the Holy Spirit. This willingness to change was the proof that true repentance had occurred. The indisputable transformation that occurred in the Corinthian church was sufficient evidence for Paul to declare in his second letter that they had cleared themselves in the matters where they had previously been wrong (see 2 Corinthians 7:9-11). God’s goal in confronting His Church is always to produce cleansing, transformation, and restoration.

Today Jesus is still crying out for the Church to repent of worldliness and carnality. As is true in each generation, today we have a choice: to harden our hearts and turn a deaf ear to the Holy Spirit, or to allow Him to deal deeply with us and produce genuine repentance in our hearts and souls. Although Christ is always ready to transform His Church, no transformation can occur unless we are willing to hear what His Spirit is saying to us. And once we do hear that divine message, we must be willing to respond with humble obedience, just as the Corinthian church did.

This was the case for the church at Ephesus. Jesus was calling this congregation to recognize their fallen state and to take visible steps to demonstrate that they were sincere about restoring their passion for Him. But how does a fallen church or a wayward believer restore that fire that once burned so brightly? That is exactly what we will discuss in tomorrow’s Sparkling Gem!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I thank You for speaking to me about my need to repent — that is, to change the way I’ve been thinking and living. Truthfully, I’ve been consumed with serving You more than I have been consumed with just loving You, as I once did in the past. I’ve become so busy that I don’t read my Bible as I once did; I don’t pray as I once did; and I’ve drifted from the passionate fire that once burned in my heart. I am busy and involved, but my relationship with You is distant compared to the intimate communion we once shared years ago. For all this I repent. Today I hear Your voice calling me back into meaningful fellowship. Forgive me for my spiritual lethargy, and set me ablaze with the Spirit of God!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I am on-fire for Jesus Christ. I have repented for allowing a lukewarm attitude to work inside me, and I ask God to make me a bonfire for the Kingdom of God! I confess that I burn with passion and with the power of God. I am consumed with a desire to see lost souls come to Christ. I long to see the power of God even more than I once did. I humble myself before the Lord. I hear His voice, and I submit myself to God and to His service in a fresh, new way.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. What were you like when you first repented and came to Christ? What were you like when you were first filled with the Holy Spirit? If you compare who you are today compared to who you were back then, what would be the big difference?
  2. First John 1:9 guarantees cleansing for believers who confess sin and repent. It literally guarantees cleansing! What does that verse mean to you? I’ll tell you up front that it means a lot to me!
  3. What are the fruits of repentance? In other words, what are the outward signs that a person has genuinely repented? Can you make a list of all the things that accompany real repentance?

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen….
— Revelation 2:5

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, we saw that Christ confronted the illustrious church of Ephesus about the fact that they had left their first love. He urged them to put everything on pause and to remember the fiery love they’d had for Jesus when they first repented several decades earlier. Although they were perhaps the largest and most sophisticated church in the world at that time, they had lost the wonder of it all as they became consumed in the busyness of ministry. That’s why Jesus told them that they needed to “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen…” (Revelation 2:5).

It is important to note that Greek word translated as “remember” is in the present active imperative, which means Jesus wanted the Ephesian believers to remain continually mindful of their past. What God had done in their midst was a wonderful memory that needed to be memorialized in their congregation for all generations. But if they took an honest look at their hearts and compared their present to their past, they would see what Jesus knew about them — that they had fallen from the zeal and spiritual passion that had once burned in their hearts. Regardless of the adulation the Ephesian church received from other churches and spiritual leaders throughout the Roman Empire, Jesus could see the true state of this body of believers. Therefore, He admonished them, “Remember from whence thou art fallen….”

The word “whence” is the Greek word pothen, which points back in time to a different place or a different time. It is intended to draw one’s attention to a specific moment or experience in the past to see what life was once like. In addition, the word “fallen” means a downfall from a high and lofty position. The Greek tense doesn’t describe the act of falling; rather, it refers to one who has already completely fallen and who is now living in a completely fallen state.

For the past multiple decades, the church at Ephesus had hosted the world’s greatest Christian leaders, experienced the power of God, and become more advanced in spiritual knowledge than any other church of that time. In fact, the Christian community at the time viewed this congregation as the ideal church. However, we must never forget that what can be carefully hidden from human eyes can never be concealed from Jesus. Hebrews 4:13 tells us that “…all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Jesus is often unimpressed with the things that impress us because He sees a different picture than we do. Others may have been impressed with the heritage of the Ephesian church and its roster of famous personalities — but in Jesus’ eyes, the church was “fallen.”

This is reminiscent of the apostle Paul’s words in First Corinthians 10:12, where he said, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” The word “thinketh” comes from the Greek word dokeo, which in this context means to be of the opinion, to reckon, to suppose, or to think. In this verse, the word dokeo expresses the idea of what a person thinks or supposes about himself. There is nothing to verify if that individual’s opinion is correct — only that it is the prevailing opinion he has regarding himself.

The word “standeth” comes from the word istemi, which simply means to stand, to stand fast, to stand firm, or to stand upright. But when the words dokeo and istemi are combined in the same thought as Paul used them in this verse, the phrase could be read: “Wherefore let anyone who has the self-imposed opinion of himself that he is standing strong and firm….” Then Paul added the next critically important words: “…take heed lest he fall.”

The words “take heed” are from the Greek word blepo, which means to watch, to see, to behold, or to be aware. The Greek tense indicates the need not only to watch, but also to be continually watchful.

The word “fall” in First Corinthians 10:12 is a form of the same word Jesus used in Revelation 2:5 when He told the believers in Ephesus that they were already fallen. This word depicts one who falls into sin, falls into ruin, or falls into some type of failure. In other words, this isn’t merely the picture of someone who stumbles a little; it depicts a downward plummet that causes one to tragically crash. This verse could therefore be interpreted, “If anyone has the opinion of himself that he is standing strong and firm, he needs to be continually watchful and always on his guard lest he trip, stumble, and fall from his overly confident position — taking a downward nosedive that leads to a serious crash.”

Spiritual smugness is an attitude that deceives a person into thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think (see Romans 12:3). Often this self-congratulatory attitude emerges among those who “think” they are more advanced, educated, or spiritually sophisticated than others. It is a spiritual pride that blinds one from clearly seeing his own areas of shortcoming and need the way he once did and causes him to be overly impressed with himself.

It is vital that we take this as a divine warning that directly pertains to our own walk with God. We must understand that our own opinion of ourselves or the high opinion of others concerning us is not a trustworthy measure. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.” According to this verse, flesh is always prone to be self-congratulatory and to excuse its own failures and weaknesses. But there is nothing hidden from Jesus’ sight; He sees it all from the beginning to the end. All the public relations in the world will not change what Jesus sees in a person’s heart. Therefore, it is what Jesus Christ knows about us that is most important — not what we think about ourselves or what others think or say about us.

The church of Ephesus had a glorious past and a famous name. It was large, well-known, and recognized by others as a spiritual center and a model church. Nevertheless, Jesus saw the situation very differently from what human eyes could see. If Jesus could call this illustrious church with its list of remarkable accomplishments “fallen,” it is clear that any church, regardless of its notable beginning or enduring fame, can also be “fallen.” This means one’s past is not a guarantee of one’s future. If an individual or a church is not completely devoted to doing whatever is necessary to retain spiritual passion, it is likely that over time, the initial passion will slowly dissipate, as was the case with the church of Ephesus.

That is why Jesus lovingly pointed the Ephesian believers backward in time, reminding them of the spiritual vibrancy they once possessed but had lost. Then He enjoined them to take action to rekindle their fire. If they would recognize the religious routine into which they had fallen — and allow this knowledge to produce conviction of sin about their backslidden condition — they could repent and turn the situation around.

I covered the subject of repentance in the March 17-21 Gems. However, this subject is so vital in the Church world in this present hour that I am going to cover it again in the following Sparkling Gem. If there was ever an hour to issue a clear teaching on the need for repentance — what it is, how it is done, and what the effects of true repentance are — it is in the hour in which we live.

Oh, how far the Church has drifted from the simple, powerful, fiery beginnings of revival that once burned in the hearts of early believers! Today Christ is speaking from the Scriptures and calling His people to repent, just as He called on the church of Ephesus to repent nearly 2,000 years ago. Let’s hear what the Spirit is still speaking to His Church!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Dear Father, I confess that the Church — with all of its sophistication and technology — seems to be lacking in great demonstrations of the power of God. But rather than take a critical role, I admit that I am a part of this great Body of believers, and that I, too, need to remember from whence I have fallen. Help us to remember the early days, the early passion, the early fire that burned in our hearts. Help us to do a corrective self-analysis of where we are compared to where we were. There have been so many wonderful advances, and I recognize that, but there is a simplicity and fire that is missing. Lord, restore it to us and help us burn brightly and simply as we once did.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that admitting what is wrong is the first step in repentance. Therefore, I repent for allowing the busyness of life and worldliness to usurp the place in my heart that belongs only to the Lord. I press in to receive a fresh visitation of the Holy Spirit’s power and the heartfelt willingness to receive it with open arms. I confess that I am open-hearted, willing, and ready for the Lord to restore His Church to the power that He destined for it to possess!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you recall an earlier time in your Christian life — a simpler time — when you relished and cherished the gifts of the Holy Spirit and could hardly wait for a move of the Spirit? What changed?
  2. Do you attend a church where the moving of the Holy Spirit is appreciated? If God wanted to mightily move on your congregation, would it be welcomed or rejected? Does that response reflect your personal belief and desire?
  3. How would you honestly gauge your own spiritual life? Are you more advanced than you once were, or are you “fallen” compared to the fiery passion you once had in your earlier life with Jesus?

You Are the Bishop of Your Own Heart!

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
— Hebrews 12:15

One of the most powerful verses in the New Testament is Hebrews 12:15. It says, “Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” I want you to especially notice the words “looking diligently” in this verse. This phrase comes from the Greek word episkopos, taken from the two words epi and skopos. The word epi means over, and the word skopos means to look. When these two words are compounded into one word as in Hebrews 12:15, the word means to look over or to take supervisory oversight.

The word episkopos is the same Greek word translated “bishop” in First Timothy 3:1. As you know, a bishop has oversight or responsibility for a group of churches. As the chief overseer for those churches, it is the bishop’s responsibility to watch, direct, guide, correct, and give oversight to the churches under his care. As long as he serves as bishop, he will be held responsible for the good and the bad that occurs under his ministry.

Hebrews 12:15 uses the word episkopos to alert you and me to the fact that we are the bishops of our own hearts. The use of this word in this verse means it is our responsibility to watch, direct, guide, correct, and give oversight to what goes on inside us.

As the bishop of your own heart, it is your responsibility to guide, direct, and give oversight to what goes on inside your emotions and thinking. You alone are responsible for what you allow to develop inside your head and heart. Like a bishop, you are personally responsible for both the good and the bad that occurs within your thought life.

Why do I make this point? Because we are often tempted to blame our bad attitudes, bitterness, resentments, or feelings of unforgiveness on other people. But the truth is, we are responsible for our own emotions and reactions! If a person does something that has the potential to offend us, God holds us responsible for whether or not that offense takes root in our minds. We can choose to let it sink into our souls and take root, or we can opt to let it bypass us. We are not able to control what others do or say to us, but we are able to control what goes on inside of us.

It is that “inside” part — the part you control — that God will hold you responsible for. Why? Because you are charged with a personal responsibility to oversee what goes on inside your soul. That means you have the last word. You are the one who decides whether or not that wrong settles down into your soul and starts to take root in your emotions.

Anger is an emotion that comes and goes. You choose whether or not irritation turns into anger, anger into wrath, wrath into bitterness, bitterness into resentment, and resentment into unforgiveness. You choose whether these foul attitudes and emotions take up residency in your heart or are booted out the door!

When the devil comes to tempt you with an annoying, hounding thought about the person who offended you, at that moment you have a choice whether or not to let it sink in. You are the only one who can give permission for these attitudes to make their habitation in your mind and emotions. If you’re filled with bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness, you permitted the devil to sow that destructive seed in your heart and then you permitted it to grow. Remember, you’re the bishop of your own heart!

There is only one reason weeds grow out of control in a garden — because no one took the proper time and care to uproot and remove them. When the garden is choked by weeds, the gardener can’t complain, “I just don’t know how this happened! How did this occur right under my nose?” It occurred because he was being irresponsible with his garden. If he’d been exercising the proper amount of diligence, he would have known that weeds were about to get the best of him. His lack of diligence is the reason his garden got into this mess!

Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking diligently….” It takes diligence to keep your heart in good shape. The only way you can stay free of the weeds the devil wants to sow in your “garden” is to be attentive, careful, thorough, and meticulous about the condition of your own heart. Don’t expect others to take care of your heart for you either. It’s your heart!

Also, don’t make excuses for the rotten attitudes that fill your thoughts about people who supposedly did you wrong. Even if they really did commit a wrong against you, was it necessary or beneficial to permit the devil to fill you with putrid feelings of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness? Get over it! What good does it do to let the offense fester inside you until you are inwardly eaten up by its bad memory?

As long as you blame everyone else for the bitterness that rages inside, you’ll never walk free. The only way you can get over the offense and walk free of your emotional prison is by accepting responsibility for your own heart.

If someone deliberately sows bad seeds in our “garden” in an effort to hurt or destroy us, God will deal with them. But if we know bad seed has been sown in our hearts and we just ignore it, allowing it to take root and grow unchecked, God will deal with us.

Since the phrase “looking diligently” is from the Greek word episkopos, implying that you are the bishop of your own heart, what are you going to do about the negative and wrong attitudes that are trying to take root in your soul right now? Are you going to let them fester, take root, and begin to produce bad fruit in your life? Or are you going to take the initiative to rip out those attitudes by the roots so your heart can stay free?

Never forget that you are the bishop of your heart. It is your heart, and you are the only one with the authority to decide what does and doesn’t go on inside of you. In light of this truth, what are you going to do about the situation you are facing right now? Forgive and let it go, or hang on to that grievance and let it grow? The choice is yours!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, help me keep my heart free of offense! You have given me authority over my own will, mind, and emotions, so I know I have the authority to tell offense that it has no right to dwell inside me. I refuse to blame everyone else for the mess I’ve allowed to grow inside my heart — and today I am asking You to help me, Holy Spirit, to quit making excuses for the wrong attitudes I’ve permitted to grow in my life. With Your supernatural help, I am making the choice to repent, to turn from these destructive thoughts, and to replace them with thoughts and words of kindness for those who have caused me hurt or grief in the past.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I deal diligently with my heart to keep it in good shape. I don’t make excuses for rotten attitudes that try to fill my thoughts about people who have wronged me. Even if they really did commit a wrong, I refuse to let the devil use it to eat me up and ruin me. I am the bishop of my own heart, so I refuse to let wrong attitudes fester, take root, and begin to produce bad fruit in me! 

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Is there any feeling of bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness that you have held on to and allowed to grow in the soil of your heart? Has the Holy Spirit been trying to convince you to forgive and to let it go?

2. If the Holy Spirit is dealing with you about forgiving someone, what are you going to do about it? Will you resist the Spirit’s dealings and develop a hard heart, or are you willing to forget it and go on with your life?

3. When you hear that a person who hurt or wronged you is being blessed in his job or in some other way, can you rejoice with that person — or do you find yourself inwardly seething that he isn’t being punished because of what he did to you? If you can’t rejoice with him, it’s probably a good indicator that you have some unresolved issues festering on the inside that you need to take to the Lord!

Don’t Jump Ship!

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
— 1 Corinthians 4:1

When you are serving faithfully and trying to obediently do what God has asked you to do, the devil hates it! He’ll do everything he can to dissuade you to stop. Often he attacks your mind with allegations, such as, “Why are you doing this? No one appreciates you anyway! Here you are, working, striving, sweating, and slugging it out while other people are having a good time. If no one else cares, why should you care? Come on — you’ve done enough!”

If you’re not really committed to staying in place and doing what God asked you to do, those allegations from the devil may pull you off the bench where God called you to serve. This makes me think again of First Corinthians 4:1, where Paul says, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

As noted earlier (see August 13), the word “ministers” in this verse is the Greek word huperetas and referred to the slaves or servants who were placed into the bottom galleys of huge ships. A huge oar was placed in the hands of these slaves, and they began to row and row and row — literally becoming the engines that moved those ships through the sea.

If you had been allowed to peek into the bottom galley of those huge ships of New Testament times, you’d have seen that these prisoners were all chained to a post near their respective benches. There was a good reason for this heavy chain.

Because their work was so difficult and their destiny was sealed in the bottom of that ship, these men’s minds would wander to more beautiful, restful places where palm trees overlooked sandy seashores or tall pines swayed in refreshing mountain breezes. Had the “under-rowers” not been chained to their posts, they may have attempted to escape from their bench to find a more restful lifestyle somewhere else. Therefore, chains kept the men where they belonged — right in the bottom of the boat, tied to their post with oar in hand, compelled to effectively do their job.

Likewise, you must know that as you seek to do God’s will for your life, you’ll have to take on all kinds of assaults and challenges that inevitably accompany obedience. And let me warn you, there will be times when your flesh tries to find a way to jump ship and get out from underneath the pressure of obeying God! Your flesh would love to be “led” somewhere else where faith isn’t required and the crucifixion of flesh doesn’t seem so necessary.

You see, it’s easy to start obeying God. Initiating a project is fun and exciting, and it’s always the easiest part. The difficult part is sticking with that project and seeing it through all the way to the end. The real test comes when the excitement is gone and the reality of hard work and commitment begins to dawn on you. That’s always the golden moment when the flesh is tempted to forget you ever heard from God and to start looking for a way out!

If you are not really committed to go all the way in fulfilling your God-assigned task, you probably won’t do it. Therefore, you must be absolutely committed to do what God has called you to do, “chaining yourself” to your decision to obey so you cannot flee in hard times. If God has called you, don’t jump ship! He needs you in the bottom of the boat in order to keep the Body of Christ moving forward toward maturity. You are very important!

I’m sure there were times when the under-rowers said, “I’m tired of rowing! Get me off this boat!” They probably had to be reminded, “You are the engines of the ship. If you get off the boat, the boat will stop moving. You are too vital to jump ship now. We can’t go on without you!”

There were also probably times when these men in the bottom of the ship said, “No one appreciates us or says thank you for what we do! We work, work, work, and work, and yet we are treated like slaves! I just wish someone would occasionally show some appreciation.”

We all want to be appreciated. I like to be thanked when I work hard, just as we all do. This is a natural, normal desire. If we’d all just treat each other with good manners in the Body of Christ, it would solve a world of problems and remedy a lot of hurt feelings. But people are people, and sometimes they forget to say thank you. It’s absolutely true that people should be more thoughtful and appreciative. But the bottom line is this: Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether or not those around us ever show us appreciation for what we do. If the boat is going to move, we must row the boat!

Just like these “under-rowers,” if you stop rowing — if you stop doing your job — it could possibly jeopardize the destiny God has called you to fulfill. If the boat is going to move, you must row, whether or not you ever hear the words “thank you” from anyone.

That is the hard reality of life for all of us as servants of God. Yes, it would be nice to hear “thank you” from time to time. But lack of appreciation must not affect our determination to row our boat and do what God has called us to do.

When you said yes to the will of God, you surrendered to Him, agreeing to pick up the “oar” He has placed before you. For you, that oar may be a ministry God has given you or a position serving in the local church or a certain business. Perhaps God has instructed you to give money regularly to a ministry. Whatever responsibility God has set before you, it’s time for you to grab hold of that oar! Like the under-rowers who rowed in order to move those big ships, you must begin a lifelong occupation of “rowing” to advance the cause God has put on your heart. From now on, your lifelong slogan needs to be “Row, row, row your boat!”

My Prayer for Today

Lord, help me today to keep a right perspective of what You have called me to do. When I get tired and the devil tries to convince me to quit, please help me remember that if everyone stops rowing the boat, it won’t go anywhere. Even if no one else notices what I am doing, I know that You see every move I make. Whatever I do, Lord, I do for You!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I have a job to do and that I’m going to do it! I will not jeopardize my destiny by succumbing to the discouraging voice of the enemy. If the boat is going to move, I must do my part to move it. Whether or not I ever hear the words “thank you” from anyone, I am the servant of God, and I will do my service as unto Him! 

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. When do you most easily get discouraged? For instance, does discouragement strike when you are physically weary? Have you found that if you stay in prayer, you stay stronger and more encouraged?

2. When you’re slugging it out and pushing forward with every ounce of your might, what helps you more than anything else to keep pushing ahead?

3. Does the knowledge that you are willing to do something no one else is willing to do motivate you? Do you get satisfaction when you know you’re being obedient to God, even if no one else is willing to stick in there and be obedient with you?

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works….
— Revelation 2:5

Have you ever sensed the Holy Spirit pleading with you to return to the on-fire love you had for Him when you first received your salvation? As we saw in yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, that is precisely what Jesus did with the church of Ephesus when He diagnosed their spiritual condition and told them that they had left their first love (see Revelation 2:4). However, Jesus didn’t just diagnose their spiritual condition — He also showed them the steps they needed to take in order to reverse their course and rectify the situation. This is seen in Revelation 2:5, where Jesus told the Ephesian believers how to return to the white-hot passion they’d possessed in the early years of their salvation. He said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works….”

Notice that Jesus urged the congregation in Ephesus to do three things to correct their deteriorated spiritual condition: 1) remember, 2) repent, and 3) do the first works. These three key points are packed with meaning, so I will take my time to properly explain each one. In the next few Gems, we will study what Jesus meant when He told the Ephesians to repent and do the first works, but today I want to focus on the word remember.

The Ephesian believers had lost their “first love” — the simplicity and passion that marked their early love for Jesus Christ. This tells us how far they had unintentionally drifted from the spiritual zeal that once characterized them. For this reason, Jesus urged them to stop everything they were doing in order to “remember” the precious fellowship they used to enjoy with Him before they became so spiritually sophisticated.

The word “remember” is a translation of the Greek word mneia, which in ancient literature denoted a written record used to memorialize a person’s actions, a sepulcher, a statue, a monument, or a tombstone. The fact that the word mneia can denote a sepulcher is very significant in the context of Revelation 2:5, because it suggests the Ephesian believers’ early experiences with Christ had become buried by years of activity.

Like dirt on a grave, the busyness of ministry had buried what was once precious to them. So by using this word mneia, Jesus implored them to dig through the clutter of their schedules, routines, and activities and unearth the early memories of their faith when it was tender and new. Once they recalled their powerful past, they would see how far they had drifted from the spiritual fervency that had marked their beginnings. Only then would they be in a position to make the necessary adjustments in their lives to recover their excitement and passion for the things of God.

Furthermore, because mneia (“remember”) also refers to a statue or a monument, we see that certain memories should forever stand tall in our lives and never be forgotten. The purpose of a statue or monument is to memorialize a historical event or a deceased hero so that future generations will never forget. Most statues, monuments, and tombstones are made from durable materials like metal or stone, and they endure for many years without effort or upkeep. Generations can come and go, but statues and monuments persist, allowing people to gaze upon the faces of deceased heroes and read the inscriptions that describe their past actions and contributions. As long as a statue or monument remains in its place, it will stand as a reminder to future generations.

Memories, however, must be deliberately maintained and cultivated if they are to remain vital in our hearts and minds. If significant memories are not deliberately passed on to future generations, they become lost under the overgrowth of life, just like a neglected grave with no tombstone. It doesn’t take long before the location of such a grave is completely lost. People will walk across it without even knowing that the remains of a precious person lie buried beneath their feet.

Like an unmarked grave, important memories can be easily forgotten. Adults forget their childhood; nations forget their heritage; and Christians forget their early beginnings with Jesus. In Revelation 2:5, we discover that churches can forget their past. Years of activity and Christian service can so consume a congregation’s energy and strength that they begin to forget the great work of grace God performed in their hearts. Weariness, busy schedules, and a constant stream of new programs to implement all have the ability to wear down a body of believers — turning their activity for God’s Kingdom into spiritual drudgery and reducing what was once fresh and exciting into a monotonous, religious routine. If they are not careful, they risk forfeiting their zeal and spiritual fire and allowing what was once precious to become routine. Their early memories of coming to Christ can become buried under an overgrowth of activity and spiritual weeds, making them forget how wonderful God’s grace was when it first touched their hearts.

This is actually a common struggle among spiritually mature believers. In fact, it is difficult to find a single mature Christian who hasn’t had to fight this temptation as his or her sinful past gradually fades into a distant memory. They become accustomed to the precious Holy Spirit in their lives, and too often they unintentionally begin to simply “traffic” in the things of God. It’s a subtle backsliding that occurs in the very act of serving God.

In the early years of the Ephesian church, the vibrancy and excitement of the Ephesian believers inspired the passion in congregations and spiritual leaders throughout the years. But as the years passed, this zeal for the things of God slowly ebbed away. Knowledge increased, but the believers’ fiery passion for Jesus diminished.

Undoubtedly, as the Ephesian church grew, so did its members’ schedules, routines, habits, customs, and traditions. They were so busy serving Jesus that they lost their intimacy with Him, and it is likely that they experienced a loss of joy in their service, since joy is impossible to maintain without a vital connection to the Savior. Therefore, it was essential for the Ephesian believers to recall their point of departure from their first love if they were to return to the vibrant relationship they once experienced with Christ. They needed to pause everything they were doing and gratefully remember:

Having put themselves in remembrance of their glorious history, the Ephesian believers would be able to move forward in their relationship with Jesus and “repent.” We’ll look more at what that word means in tomorrow’s Gem.

So have you allowed the busyness of serving God to bury the excitement you felt for Jesus when you were first saved? If so, take Jesus’ words to heart and remember your first love. Clear away the weeds and clutter of life from those memories, and let them stand tall like a monument in your mind!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I never want to forget the amazing things You did in my life when I first came to know You many years ago. Forgive me for allowing the clutter of my life to bury precious memories that I should never forget. From the start of our relationship, You have proven Yourself faithful to me. I need not ever bury that or forget it when I get busy. Holy Spirit, today I ask You to help me “declutter” the memories of my past and revive those precious memories that I need to hold clear and dear.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I do not easily forget the things that God has done for me. I have personally experienced the faithfulness of God, and I remain thankful for all that He has done for me. Weariness, busy schedules, and a constant stream of new responsibilities do not blur God’s faithfulness to me. My spiritual life is not full of drudgery, nor is it reduced into a monotonous, religious routine. I am spiritually alive, vital, and eager for God to move in my life!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you ever take time to “remember” the things that the Lord did for you in the early years when you first came to know Him? What does it do for you when you recall those precious moments?
  2. What has the Lord recently done for you? How has He delivered you, rescued you, or saved you? Have you taken time to thank Him for all that He’s done for you?
  3. Memories must be cultivated. What are you doing to cultivate and maintain your sweet memories of your past times with Jesus? How do you plan to share those experiences with your friends and loved ones?

Who Were the Nicolaitans, And What Was Their Doctrine and Deeds?

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
— Revelation 2:6

Have you ever wondered who the “Nicolaitans” were, mentioned in the book of Revelation? Whoever they were, Jesus loathed their doctrine and hated their deeds. Let’s delve into this subject today to see if we can ascertain the identity of this group. What was their damnable doctrine? What deeds were they committing that elicited such a strong reaction from Jesus?

Let’s begin in Revelation 2:6, where Jesus told the church of Ephesus, “But this thou hast [in your favor], that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

Jesus was proud of the church of Ephesus for their “hatred” of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which He also “hated.” The word “hate” is a strong word, so let’s see exactly what it means. It comes from the Greek word miseo, which means to hate, to abhor, or to find utterly repulsive. It describes a person who has a deep-seated animosity, who is antagonistic to something he finds to be completely objectionable. He not only loathes that object, but rejects it entirely. This is not just a case of dislike; it is a case of actual hatred.

The thing Jesus hated about them was their “deeds.” The word “deeds” is the Greek word erga, which means works. However, this word is so all-encompassing that it pictures all the deeds and behavior of the Nicolaitans — including their actions, beliefs, conduct, and everything else connected to them.

The name “Nicolaitans” is derived from the Greek word nikolaos, a compound of the words nikos and laos. The word nikos is the Greek word that means to conquer or to subdue. The word laos is the Greek word for the people. It is also where we get the word laity. When these two words are compounded into one, they form the name Nicolas, which literally means one who conquers and subdues the people. It seems to suggest that the Nicolaitans were somehow conquering and subduing the people.

Ireneus and Hippolytus, two leaders in the Early Church who recorded many of the events that occurred in the earliest recorded days of Church history, said the Nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of Nicolas of Antioch, who had been ordained as a deacon in Acts 6:5. That verse says, “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.”

We know quite a lot of information about some of these men who were chosen to be the first deacons, whereas little is known of others. For instance, we know that the chief criteria for their selection was that they were men “…of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom…”(v. 3). Once they had been chosen, they were presented by the people to the apostles, who laid hands on them, installing and officially ordaining them into the deaconate.

Stephen

Like the other men, Stephen was of good report, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. However, Acts 6:5 makes a remark about Stephen that is unique only to him. It says that he was “…a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost….” This stronger level of faith may have been a contributing factor to the development recorded in Acts 6:8: “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

Stephen was a God-called evangelist, and he was later privileged to be the first martyr in the history of the Church — killed at the order of Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as the apostle Paul (see Acts 7:58-8:1). The deaconate ministry was vital proving ground to prepare Stephen for the fivefold office of the evangelist. The name Stephen is from the Greek word stephanos, and it means crown. This is worth noting, for he was the first to receive a martyr’s crown.

Philip

Philip was ordained with the other six original deacons. However, Acts 21:8 informs us that Philip later stepped into the ministry of the evangelist. He had four daughters who prophesied (v. 9). Just as the deaconate was a training and proving ground for Stephen to step into the office of the evangelist, it was also Philip’s school of ministry to prepare him for evangelistic ministry. The name Philip means lover of horses. This name often symbolized a person who ran with swiftness, as does a horse — a fitting name for a New Testament evangelist who ran swiftly to carry the Gospel message.

Prochorus

Very little is known about this member of the original deaconate. His name, Prochorus, is a compound of the Greek words pro and chorus. The word pro means before or in front of, as with the position of a leader. The word “chorus” is the old Greek word for the dance and is where we get the word choreography. There is a strong implication that this was a nickname, given to this man because he had been the foremost leader of dance in some school, theater, or musical performance. There is no substantiation for this idea, but his name seems to give credence to the possibility.

Nicanor

This unknown brother was found to be of good report, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Other than this, nothing is known of him. He is never mentioned again in the New Testament after Acts chapter 6. His name, Nicanor, means conqueror.

Timon

Like Nicanor mentioned above, Timon was known to be of good report, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Nothing more is known of him outside of Acts chapter 6. His name means honorable or of great value.

Parmenas

We know nothing more of Parmenas other than what is mentioned here in Acts chapter 6. His name is a compound of the words para and meno — the word para meaning alongside and meno meaning to remain or to abide. Compounded together, his name came to mean one who sticks alongside and conveyed the idea of one who is devoted, loyal, and faithful.

Nicolas

Acts 6:5 tells us that this Nicolas was “a proselyte of Antioch.” The fact that he was a proselyte tells us that he was not born a Jew but had converted from paganism to Judaism. Then he experienced a second conversion, this time turning from Judaism to Christianity. From this information, we know these facts about Nicolas of Antioch:

According to the writings of the Early Church leaders, Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. From Early Church records, it seems apparent that this Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, Judaism, and Christianity that he had a stomach for all of it. He had no problem intermingling these belief systems in various concoctions and saw no reason why believers couldn’t continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the black magic of the Roman empire and its countless mystery cults.

Occultism was a major force that warred against the Early Church. In Ephesus, the primary pagan religion was the worship of Diana (Artemis). There were many other forms of idolatry in Ephesus, but this was the primary object of occult worship in that city. In the city of Pergamos, there were numerous dark and sinister forms of occultism, causing Pergamos to be one of the most wicked cities in the history of the ancient world. In both of these cities, believers were lambasted and persecuted fiercely by adherents of pagan religions, forced to contend with paganism on a level far beyond all other cities.

It was very hard for believers to live separately from all the activities of paganism because paganism and its religions were the center of life in these cities. Slipping in and out of paganism would have been very easy for young or weak believers to do since most of their families and friends were still pagans. A converted Gentile would have found it very difficult to stay away from all pagan influence.

It is significant that the “deeds” and “doctrines” of the Nicolaitans are only mentioned in connection with the churches in these two occultic and pagan cities. It seems that the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans was that it was all right to have one foot in both worlds and that one needn’t be so strict about separation from the world in order to be a Christian. This, in fact, was the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans that Jesus “hated.” It led to a weak version of Christianity that was without power and without conviction — a defeated, worldly type of Christianity.

Nicolas’ deep roots in paganism may have produced in him a tolerance for occultism and paganism. Growing up in this perverted spiritual environment may have caused him to view these belief systems as not so damaging or dangerous. This wrong perception would have resulted in a very liberal viewpoint that encouraged people to stay connected to the world. This is what numerous Bible scholars believe about the Nicolaitans.

This kind of teaching would result in nothing but total defeat for its followers. When believers allow sin and compromise to be in their lives, it drains away the power in the work of the Cross and the power of the Spirit that is resident in a believer’s life. This is the reason the name Nicolas is so vital to this discussion. The evil fruit of Nicolas’ “doctrine” encouraged worldly participation, leading people to indulge in sin and a lowered godly standard. In this way he literally conquered the people.

God wants to make sure we understand the doctrine the Nicolaitans taught, so Balaam’s actions are given as an example of their doctrine and actions. Revelation 2:14,15 says, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

When Balaam could not successfully curse the people of God, he used another method to destroy them. He seduced them into unbridled, sensual living by dangling the prostitutes of Moab before the men of Israel. Numbers 25:1-3 tells us, “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they [the daughters of Moab] called the people [the men of Israel] unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people [the men of Israel] did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor….”

Just as the men of Israel compromised themselves with the world and false religions, now the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans was encouraging compromise. As you are well aware, compromise with the world always results in a weakened and powerless form of Christianity. This was the reason Jesus “hated” the “doctrine” and the “deeds” of the Nicolaitans.

My Prayer for Today

Lord, after what I’ve read today, I don’t want to allow any spirit of compromise in my life! I now understand that the doctrine of the Nicolaitans is compromise with the world. Lord, I don’t want to live with one foot in the Church and another foot in the world. I want to break free completely from the world and its influence so I can give myself completely to Your cause! I want to be holy, to live in a way that pleases You, and to experience Your power in my life. Today I am renewing my commitment to You all over again! I turn from the world, and I am running to You!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am free from the world! I do not walk in compromise! I am determined to live a committed and holy life before the Lord. As a result of my firm determination to walk with God, I have power over sin, power over Satan, and power when I pray. God’s Word promises that if I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me. I am drawing nearer and nearer to God every day, so I am confident that His Presence in my life is getting stronger too!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Can you think of any area of your life where you have allowed yourself to be compromised by the world? If so, has that compromise hindered the power of God from operating in your life?

2. Do you know any other believers who thought they could live with one foot in the church and another foot in the world — but in the end, the world ensnared them, and they backslid into a life of sin?

3. If you know someone who is on the verge of backsliding, what do you think the Lord would have you do to help bring that person back to where he or she ought to be?

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
— Revelation 2:4

On April 24, I wrote a Sparkling Gem called “Remembering Your First Love.” Today I’d like to take that Gem a step further to really develop what Jesus had to say in Revelation 2:4 when He spoke to His precious church in the city of Ephesus.

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus told the church of Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The word “nevertheless” is a translation of the Greek word alla, which essentially means “BUT….”

Despite all the outstanding commendations Christ had just given to this church, there was one point that was not commendable. Jesus was so dismayed and disconcerted by this one serious defect that He told the Ephesian believers, “…I have somewhat against thee.”

The words “I have” are a translation of the Greek word echo, which means I have or I hold. In spite of all the remarkable features that made the Ephesian church so outstanding, there was one area where these believers had failed, and it was so bothersome to Christ that He personally held it against them. The phrase “against thee” is very personal, informing us that Christ was deeply disturbed by something He knew about this church.

Jesus then declared to the Ephesian believers, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4).

The word “love” in this verse is the Greek word agape, which we have studied before. This word agape is so filled with deep emotion and meaning that it is one of the most difficult words to translate in the New Testament. The task of adequately explaining this word has baffled translators for centuries; nevertheless, an attempt will be made here to clarify the meaning of agape and then to apply it to the context of Revelation 2:4.

As I have stated before in previous Gems, agape occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, and appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing him to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. Such great respect is awakened in the heart of the observer for the object or person he is beholding that he is compelled to love. In fact, his love for that person or object is so strong that it is irresistible. This kind of love knows no limits or boundaries in how far, wide, high, and deep it will go to show love to its recipient. If necessary, agape love will even sacrifice itself for the sake of that object or person it so deeply cherishes. Agape is therefore the highest, finest, most noble, and most fervent form of love.

In addition, the Greek sentence structure of this verse is very different from the King James Version previously quoted. The original Greek literally states, “…because your love, the first one, you have left.” The phrase “the first one” is a clarification of what type of love Jesus was describing. This phrase comes from the Greek words ten proten, which modifies agape to mean first love or early love. Jesus used this phrase here to remind the church in Ephesus of the esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and appreciation that was first awakened in their hearts for Him when they received Him as their Savior many years earlier.

Like young people who fall in love, the Ephesians fell hard when they first came to Christ. Their hearts were captivated with their love for Jesus. There were no limits to what they would surrender to Him, no boundaries to their obedience. They were willing to sacrifice and leave behind anything to follow Him.

Acts 19:18,19 described the Ephesian believers’ early act of public repentance, when they burned their occult fetishes and attempted to amputate every connection to the past that would hinder their new lives in Christ. The repentance of these new believers was so deeply rooted in their hearts that it produced a radical, far-reaching, profound transformation that completely altered their way of living. They were fervently in love with Jesus and completely sold out to Him — with no sorrows, regrets, or reservations.

But by the time the apostle John saw the exalted Christ on the island of Patmos, decades had passed since the Ephesian believers first repented — and in the vision, Christ issued them this stern warning: “Your love, the first one, you have left.” The phrase “you have left” is from the Greek word aphiemi, which denotes the voluntary release of something once held dear or to neglect, to ignore, or to leave something or someone behind. Although the Ephesian believers were still committed to Christ, doing everything “for his name’s sake,” they no longer had the deep passion and fervency for Him that had once consumed their hearts. Over the years, as they became more doctrinally sophisticated and astute, their simple but profound first love for Jesus had somehow dissipated and slipped away from them, even though they never stopped faithfully serving Him.

It seems that after fighting spiritual battles year after year — testing false apostles, training leaders, starting new churches, overseeing entire groups of churches, and dealing with spiritual wolves who were constantly trying to ravage their ministry base — the Ephesian congregation became so focused on protecting their church that they were no longer able to enjoy their relationship with Jesus as they had many years earlier. This was still a remarkable church, but the spiritual fervency that had characterized this body of believers in the past was now missing. It was for this reason that Jesus was so deeply disturbed. The blazing fire that once characterized the Ephesian believers had gradually waned until it became little more than a smoldering flame.

It often happens that the first generation of Christians, during a move of God, experiences dramatic salvations as that segment of the Church is born in the power of the Spirit. However, the second generation, raised in a Christian environment, often doesn’t experience the same radical deliverance their parents did. Of course, it should be the goal of all believing parents to raise their children in a godly environment; however, they can never stop working diligently to keep the fires of spiritual passion burning.

As each successive generation becomes more accustomed to a Christian environment — learning to speak the language of the church, sing the songs of the church, and act the way “church” people should act — it becomes easy for the younger generations to slip into a mindset of familiarity. Too often this can produce apathy in people’s hearts, ultimately leading them to take the redemptive work of Christ for granted. Therefore, the potential for spiritual fires to die down and become a pile of smoldering embers increases dangerously with each new generation. The only way for each local body and its members to avoid that process is to become unrelenting in their commitment to retain their spiritual passion for Christ.

There is no clearer example of this vital principle than the illustrious church of Ephesus, which was perhaps the finest congregation that existed in the First Century. Although only a few decades had passed since the birth of this church, the fervency that once gripped these believers’ hearts had waned. The spiritual fire that once blazed in their midst was gradually diminishing into a flickering flame, replaced instead by orthodoxy, creeds, and dogmas — a form of religion that lacked the power known by the earlier generation (see 2 Timothy 3:5).

If this could happen to the church of Ephesus, it must be taken as a warning for the Church in every generation. We must regularly allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal whether or not we are still on fire for the Lord as we once were. It may be a painful revelation to realize that we have become doctrinally sophisticated yet powerless. However, if we are willing to remember from whence we have fallen and then to repent, we can be spared the tragedy of becoming irrelevant to our generation.

As I conclude today, my own heart is stirred. Oh, let each of us examine our own heart to see if we have let anything slip in our fervent pursuit of Jesus. And if we discover that we have left our first love in any way, let’s take every step necessary to fan the fire within until it blazes hot and high for Him the way it did when we first came to know Jesus Christ!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, as I read how the church at Ephesus subtly shifted its focus from walking with You to working for You, I’m struck by the realization of how easily our attention can fasten on what we do for You instead of on You for who You are. Lord, I repent for how I’ve allowed the cares of life and my concern for other things to harden my heart and dull the fervency of my passion for You. When I compare how I am today to how I was when I first came to Jesus, I must admit that I’ve become doctrinally sophisticated yet spiritually powerless. I confess my sin of idolatry because I’ve allowed other things to become enthroned in my heart. Holy Spirit, I humbly ask You to work in me, to ignite within me a white-hot fervor for Jesus like I’ve never known. Bring me to a place where my chief desire is to know Him, to love Him, to walk with Him, to serve Him, and to please Him in the pure power of holiness.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I am in love with Jesus Christ. He is the center of my life. My love for Him consumes me and motivates every part of my life. I started out in the fire of God, and I will end in the fire of God. I allow the Holy Spirit to search my heart regularly to reveal my true spiritual state. I refuse to become doctrinally sophisticated yet powerless and irrelevant. I confess that I am overwhelmed with the love of Jesus. My heart is increasingly captivated by Him. Every day, every week, and every year that passes, I grow more deeply in love with Him. Soon I’ll meet Him face to face. Each morning I awaken with greater determination to live my life for that moment when I look into His loving eyes. Oh, what a day that will be — but until then, I want to be consumed with His fire!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. If the church of Ephesus could lose its first love, then Jesus’ message to them in Revelation 2:4 must be taken as a warning for the Church in every generation. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal whether or not you are still on fire for the Lord as you once were.
  2. Have you ever had the painful realization that you had become doctrinally sophisticated yet spiritually powerless? If you are willing to remember your first love and repent, you can be spared the tragedy of becoming irrelevant to your generation.
  3. Why don’t you take a moment to examine your heart and see if you have let anything slip? If you discover that you have left your first love in any way, take every step necessary to return to the flaming fire of passion you had in your heart when you first came to know Jesus Christ!