Love God - Love Man

But I have this complaint against you.  You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! [Revelation 2.4]

As Jesus addressed the church at Ephesus, He made a laid out a very clear case against them in regard to their love for God.  But along with that indictment, He also clearly included 'each other' as an additional grammatical object from whom the church at Ephesus had withheld their love.

In fact, the church at Ephesus had left the true faith of loving God and loving man.  I think there is a reason this was the first church issue Jesus addressed!  Jesus made an either/or statement that demanded repentance.  I have heard it said that Jesus first commended the church at Ephesus before pointing out their failure, but I don't think so.  While He acknowledged the good works aspect of their devotion, He also left no doubt that their good works were more of a distraction than anything else and that, if they didn't repent, their lampstand would be removed.  I will leave it to more educated theologians to debate on what that statement meant, but it sounds serious!

The lesson from the message to the church at Ephesus is clear.  Jesus was warning against becoming immersed in religion while leaving off the Two Commandments: Love God - love man.

Father, forgive me for becoming distracted from loving You and mankind.  I want to focus more on fulfilling that Love Command as Jesus confirmed it to the church at Ephesus!