Revelation 2 The message to the churches that were given to John came from Jesus.. "the Alpha and Omega.. who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  He has a message for the specific churches mentioned in this revelation.. but also for the Church today. 

In each letter, the Lord identifies a particular truth about Himself..  a characteristic that will enable the church to persevere to the end.. 

The first letter is to the church of Ephesus.  Jesus identifies Himself as "The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden candlesticks."  The stars are the "angels of the seven churches".. the leaders.. pastors.. the messengers of the Lord.  The candlesticks represent the churches. ( 1:20)   Jesus is telling them that He is right there with them.. walking among them... "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance.. "  

The church of Ephesus was enduring.. but they had lost the "love" that they had from the beginning.. when they first came to Christ.  Jesus calls them to "repent" of this lost love. 

How do you repent of not loving God or others enough?  Jesus says to "do the things you did at first".  Go back to showing brotherly love, charity, good will, affection.. benevolence.  Jesus said that the church had not "grown weary" of the constant need to persevere in the presence of the wickedness around them.. but perhaps all their energy was spent on the battle and they lost sight of who they were... children of the Almighty God who was right there with them.. who had prepared a place for them in the "Paradise of God". 

Perhaps we are guilty of the same thing.. spending all our energy on "keeping the faith"  and neglecting the One who keeps us.. Who gives us His love to overflow into the lives of others. 

Father in heaven, fill us with the unending power of Your great love. Forgive us for not loving others as You have loved us. Help us to move deeper into Your love as we direct our hearts into Your Word and into the grace of our Lord Jesus. Thank You. amen.