My wife and I once knew a couple who were deeply in love during their days of courtship. They had “that look” that communicated they had found true love. Each thought the other was great, and they were happy to be together. However, after several years, that love began to cool. They spent less time together. He fixed up the garage as his man cave, and she began to go out more at night with her friends. Before long, their love was barely a dying ember, and then it was completely dead. They had lost that first love they had for one another.

When John wrote to “the church of Ephesus” (Revelation 2:1), he was not writing to a future tribulation church, but to a Jewish Kingdom church existing in the early Acts era. Revelation 1:19 gives us an outline for the book. “The things which thou hast seen” (meaning the vision in Chapter One), “and the things which are” (referring to the kingdom churches existing in early Acts and addressed in Chapters 2-3), “and the things which shall be hereafter” (meaning the remainder of Revelation that describes the seven years of Tribulation). This church at Ephesus was to be praised for many things. They had “labour,” (Revelation 2:2) indicating that they were busy seeking to further the cause of Christ. They had “patience,” indicating they endured persecution in faithfulness for the name of Christ (vs. 3). They also would not “bear them which are evil,” referring to false apostles seeking to corrupt their doctrine (vs. 2). Yet for all this activity, the Lord says, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love” (vs. 4). In all their busyness, they were only going through the motions of a spiritual walk with the Lord without the zeal, excitement, or the genuine love for the Lord Jesus that they once possessed. That love had become a dying ember while their hearts were gradually becoming more distant from the Savior whom they once loved with such a pure passion. Busyness for the cause of the Lord, faithfulness while enduring hardship, and intolerance for errant doctrine are good things. But these are not substitutes for a healthy, living, daily, personal, interactive relationship with the Savior.

We believers today can lose the fire of our first love for Christ. Our relationship with Him will become stale and dead unless we give Him priority time, intimately interacting with Him in prayer and His Word. Rekindle your first love with the Lord today.

In his song entitled “Unanswered Prayers,” country singer Garth Brooks refers to God as “the Man upstairs.” Similar phrases referring to Almighty God include: the Big Man, my Co-pilot, my Homeboy, my Golf-buddy, or simply JC. The user may not intend it this way, but such references are highly disrespectful, and reveal a lack of understanding about who and what our Great High God really is.

When the Apostle John encountered the Lord Jesus Christ who was instructing him to write what would be revealed to him, he said, “I fell at his feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). Notice there was nothing casual in John’s response. Why? When the Lord Jesus Christ spoke, it was with “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (vs. 10). “His eyes were as a flame of fire” (vs. 14), and “His countenance was as the sun” (vs. 16). This brief picture, and the reaction of a mere man in the presence of God, is consistent with the rest of Scripture. Isaiah says he saw “the Lord…high and lifted up” with dynamic angelic hosts attending Him crying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-3). Isaiah’s response was not casual or irreverent. He said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (vs. 5). People of old had a far greater reverence for the Lord. King David described his great God by saying, “The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength…Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting” (Psalm 93:1-2). He continued, “God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness” as He reigns over all men (Psalm 47:8). He’s not just a co-pilot or a buddy. Balak declared, “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). The Lord tells us this is because, “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). In the context of all this information, the Lord Jesus said of the Father, “Hallowed [meaning holy or sacred] be Thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

It would be appropriate to lovingly share articles such as this with lost souls who lack understanding of God’s holiness and magnificence. More importantly, in humility, we believers need always to show great reverence to the Lord and to His name.

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It is more prevalent than one might think to hear people say, “I’m so blessed.” By looking at the volume of instances in social media, it seems that even lost people are using this phrase. However, there are many instances when Christians post these words as a way to thank God for providentially providing health, a loving spouse, children, a dream job, a good church, friends, and more. It is appropriate for us to have a thankful heart and give God praise for His many blessings. But let’s remember one other thing that makes us richly blessed.

When the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation under inspiration, he told the reader, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). John wrote this book to seven Jewish kingdom churches under intense persecution during the Acts era, prior to Paul’s last epistle (see Colossians 1:25). John specifically promised them God’s blessing if they read, believed, heeded, and took encouragement from the content of Revelation. These churches were instructed to correct specific failures, expect specific persecutions, find courage in knowing that Christ ultimately will return to vanquish His enemies and reward the faithful. While not ignoring this context, we should remember believers in every dispensation are always greatly blessed when they read and obey God’s written Word. For a believer, the Scriptures rejoice the heart while enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:8), become a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), give understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130), and give reproof that directs into the proper way of life (Proverbs 6:23). As the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word equips for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17) and thoroughly furnishes us unto all good works with a balance of doctrine and correction (II Timothy 3:16-17). It is, therefore, a great blessing to those who will take the time to read it, and even more so to those who will really study and live it. Jeremiah said God’s Word was unto him the rejoicing of his heart (Jeremiah 15:16). And David said time in Scripture was more to be desired than gold, even fine gold (Psalm 19:10).

How blessed do you want to be? Beyond physical or tangible blessings, every believer needs earnestly to desire the blessings of learning spiritual truths in God’s Word, then put them into practice in everyday life. Right now, purpose in heart to do both regularly.

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One member of a family is often outspoken and bombastic. She goes out of her way to be offensive, rude, disrespectful, and defiant. She is constantly posting what even she calls “controversial” things on Facebook. Then she verbally attacks anyone with whom she disagrees in a degrading manner. Perhaps you have encountered someone like this. How are Christians supposed to respond to such frequent mistreatment?

We learn from Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” This passage goes on to explain there are times to “…keep silence, and a time to speak…” or “…to break down, and a time to build up” (vss. 7,3). God does not demand that we simply take every wrong, be everyone’s doormat, or suffer in silence regardless of what abusive behavior is heaped upon us. Sometimes we must stand up to abusive behavior. However, this should not be our first or regular response. In Titus 3:2, Paul gives us a general rule to guide our conduct when he says: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” We are to seek to avoid conflict when we can. Treating others with gentleness will often avert problems. Having humility with strength under pressure is a good testimony to all. Even when grossly mistreated, we are to “recompense to no man evil for evil” but instead seek to “…live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:17-18). If it isn’t possible to live peaceably with an individual, it is appropriate to object to their wrong behavior, insist they stop, distance ourself from them, or seek the help of others to stop the abuse. However, we must always be careful in our attitude, reaction, and motives. It would be very easy to allow our flesh to take control and our actions degrade to the level of the abuser. Our ardent goal must be to maintain a good testimony for Christ. It may be easier to do so if we keep in mind how foolish we once were before being saved, and purpose to live for Christ. Paul tells us: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

Abusers are often unhappy people with a void without Christ in their lives. They need to see Christ in us. Pray that Christ will enable you to demonstrate Him to the wrongdoer.

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When in high school, from the first day I went out for a sport, I made up my mind I was going to give it my absolute best effort. It didn’t matter if some on the team slacked off when doing conditioning drills or practicing for competition. I was going to take a sober-minded approach to give it my all every step of the way.

In Paul’s instructions for Titus about how to live a dedicated Christian life, four times in Chapter Two he mentioned being “sober.” The word “sober” means “to be sound minded, serious minded, or vigilant.” The first thing Titus was to tell the “aged men” was to be “sober” (vs. 2). Perhaps this is needed because in older years we tend to let down our spiritual guard. We grow weary, no longer have children in the house to properly influence, and perhaps think more than we should about living to please self in our closing years. But even aged men need encouragement to be vigilant, or sober, in their thinking about living for Christ and serving Him. Titus was to teach the aged women to teach “young women to be sober…” (vs. 3-4). It is often the case that younger girls and women are overly focused on fun social activities, clothing, and fads. These young ladies needed instruction to be more serious-minded, vigilant, or sober, with the mindset of growing to be a godly wife and mother. Titus was to speak to “young men likewise exhort [them] to be sober minded…” (vs. 6). The temptation is strong for young men to be preoccupied with worldly entertainments, ambition for riches, or pursuing women. Paul wanted Titus to challenge the young men in his sphere of influence to be serious-minded about being a pattern of good works for the cause of Christ, sound in doctrine, sincerity, and wholesome speech. These qualities would produce a godliness that would eliminate criticism from lost souls. Then Paul told Titus that God’s grace has “appeared to all men, teaching us…we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…” (vss. 11-12). Every believer, regardless of age or gender, has an urgent need to be armed with a soberness, or serious mindedness, about living a godly life before the Lord and others.

These four reminders should cause each of us to evaluate how soberminded our walk with the Lord is presently. May the Lord find us to be more serious about living for Him than anything else and seeking to be transformed by His grace daily.

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A believer new to an assembly had a clear testimony of salvation, embraced the grace message, and was regular in attendance. The elders didn’t give it much thought when he set up a table promoting tapes and literature from other teachers. After a year, the elders realized he had been promoting several devisive errors contrary to sound doctrine and the church constitution. Moreover, he had won several converts within the assembly. When the elders kindly asked him to discontinue promoting these doctrines, he defiantly refused in a publicly, argumentative way. What should the elders have done next?

Paul’s instruction in the pastoral epistles is abundantly clear that when bad doctrine is being promoted, it must not be tolerated. Titus was instructed to “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:13). Why? Because even those who know Christ sometimes deceive others with empty, incorrect doctrines that often “subvert whole houses,” leading entire families into error (Titus 1:10-11). Bad doctrine is like a cancer. It grows, spreads, and overtakes its victims. Paul tells Titus he must not be tolerant of error in major doctrines. Instead, it is appropriate to give “sharp” rebuke when those in error refuse to listen to sound doctrine or follow the leadership God has placed within the church. God will hold the elders of each church accountable at the Bema Seat to assure their church is always “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15; Revelation 2:14-15, 20). Every assembly should be a safe haven of grace for everyone, where only truth is promoted. When error is introduced into the assembly, elders are to reason from the Scriptures with the one in error (Titus 1:9). Should the errant one defiantly continue to promote bad doctrine, Paul says, “a man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject” (Titus 3:10). To “reject” means “to put out, or not have alongside.” Romans 16:17 says it clearly: “…mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Everyone is to obey this command.

It isn’t wiser to tolerate bad doctrine to maintain numbers in a local church. It isn’t loving to continue to befriend one in error. Both are disobedience that bolsters their defiance. If your church leaders deem it necessary to take strong action against error, come down on the right side of the issue, God’s side, by standing with those who stand against error.

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We have known some individuals who claim to stand for the distinctive doctrines of Paul but reject the clear words of Scripture. One said, “I think Paul’s instructions on that subject are outdated. We don’t need to follow them.” Another said, “I know that’s what the Scriptures say, but you’ll never convince me my way is not better.” A Bible teacher said, “Yes, that is the biblical pattern, but that’s not what the people want. You have to give people what they want.” A fourth individual shoved the Bible back across the table and said, “I don’t care what the Bible says.” I could hardly believe what I was hearing, especially from Christians.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4). While Paul was specifically writing to Timothy about the conditions at Ephesus, this writer believes our apostle had divine insight into the last days of grace before the Rapture. In I Timothy 4:1, he warned about characteristics of “the latter times,” when “…some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” In II Timothy 4:3-4, we believe Paul is readdressing the mindset in the last days. He warns of satanic efforts to draw believers away from following the doctrines and instructions for the local church laid out by our apostle of grace under the inspiration of God. Instead of following Scripture, some will gravitate to man-made doctrines, stubbornly clinging to them. When Paul warned the time would come when some “will not endure sound doctrine,” he was referring to believers not willing to put up with, or embrace, God’s instructions. How did Paul say this would manifest itself? They will resist truth, argue against it, become angry when it is taught, spread discontent in other believers, and try to find anyone who will teach what they want to hear. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can, and must, make the decision that we will consistently follow the instructions in the letters of the Apostle Paul.

If the Lord returned today, would He find you standing for His truth, or promoting error? Our Scripture reading today is a reminder to sincerely ask God to help us be loyal to following His Word in every area.

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