The Trap that Seems Right
“Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus. For these are the words of the one who holds the seven stars firmly in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know all that you’ve done for me—you have worked hard and persevered. I know that you don’t tolerate evil. You have tested those who claimed to be apostles and proved they are not, for they were imposters. I also know how you have bravely endured trials and persecutions because of my name, yet you have not become discouraged. But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning.” Revelation 2:1-4
Jesus tells John the beloved to write a letter to the church of Ephesus. Timothy is the pastor of this church and a disciple of Paul. Jesus’ mother and Mary Magdelene attend this church. Church history tells us this congregation was 50,000 plus people. Why would Jesus need to have a third party write a letter to tell them where they are missing the mark? Did Timothy not know? They were doing church well, really well. Jesus tells them, you are working hard and persevering, you aren’t tolerating evil, you can recognize those who claim to be Jesus followers but are not, and you are bravely enduring trials and persecutions. Their persecutions usually end in death. Jesus even acknowledges they haven’t been discouraged. So, Jesus, what is the problem?
He says, “I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning.”
In other words, you have abandoned your first love. In the footnotes of TPT bible, the Greek word for “first” means foremost, best, paramount, supreme, crowning, number one. Jesus is referring to exclusive love that has first place in our hearts above all else.
How does this happen? How do we lose sight of our first love? Every person who finds himself/herself at the altar of surrender for the first time is there because we have come to realize our need for Him. The initial encounter sparks a love affair between us and Jesus. What happens next will determine the outcome of our lives. Unfortunately, American Christianity is mishandling the babies in Christ. These babies come with trauma, brokenness, wounds, dysfunctions, and insecurities. Instead of having a father, mother and family to care for them they have found themselves in a system that seems right. The first thing the church does is put them to work. They begin to serve (for Jesus) in some way. The more faithful you are to serve the faster you move up the leadership ladder. The faster you move up the ladder the more you must hide the problematic areas you came in with. Why are the church’s teaching people to dress up and mask what is really going on behind the scenes? It’s a trap, especially if you have a gift of singing, playing an instrument, or teaching in any way. It is unfortunate the degree leadership will overlook discrepancies in a person’s life if they have a gift that can be “used.” It is why you see so many leaders fall because the weight of carrying all the things you are hiding becomes too much. Proverbs 14:12 says, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
How come the church cannot help people to deal with the baggage they bring in? Why must they hide it? Because the LAMPSTAND has been removed. Jesus is the LAMPSTAND. If Jesus is not there in the midst of the people there is no presence, no power and the authority to confront matters is not available.
“Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent. Although, to your credit, you despise the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also despise. The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to all the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life that is found in the paradise of God” Revelation 2:5-7
We have learned the real meaning of repent. It is metanoia, change the way you think, another word’s you must receive the mind of Christ. Think like Jesus. Repent is not turn from your wrong behaviors while saying I’m sorry.
Change how you think about your relationship with Jesus. He doesn’t care about you checking the boxes of attendance to church, reading your bible, witnessing to someone, or giving your money, if He is not the center of your life. He cares about your heart. Do you LOVE HIM? All of those components are important, but it has to be the fruit of a life centered on Jesus.
Jesus is saying to us today. Listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying to you. The one who overcomes He will give you access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life that is found in the paradise of God.
How do we overcome? We do the love we did at first. Maybe you are thinking I don’t know what that is because I was caught in the trap of service early on. It doesn’t happen instantly but over time of you turning your heart to Jesus and saying, “I want to love you.” He sees your heart and He wants your honesty. He swoops in with grace to walk with you as you learn to love Him and learn how to be loved by Him.
It is vitally important to find a kingdom family with a father who cares about you. A family will overlook your talents and gifts to see you become who Jesus died for. The beloved whom He loves. It is so refreshing to know at The Wilderness Place our family has a father who doesn’t care if you can sing, play an instrument or teach - he cares about your life. He desires to see you be the best husband/father and the best wife/mother. He cares about you loving Jesus. Period. We are learning a strong infrastructure starts with individuals having an intimate relationship with Jesus. As we grow in this relationship of loving Jesus, we know we have a Kingdom family who truly cares about us and our families. Let us hear the Spirit today say “Come, sit with Me as we feast.”
You need to know you are not alone in this walk. There is a family who is planted in beloved identity on Pass Rd in Gulfport waiting to walk with you through trials and tribulations as we learn to love Him intimately.
Our family is endeavoring to become free from all traps and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!
