“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Revelation 2:1-7

A Pastor friend of mine told the story many years ago of how he woke up one morning and didn’t feel any love for his wife anymore. He wasn’t considering a divorce, but he just didn’t feel any passion. His feelings were empty. He was faithful. He didn’t cheat. He was a good father to his kids. He said he simply didn’t feel anything. He was just going through the motions.

Take a look at the letter to the church at Ephesus in the verses above. They were doing all the right things, but you can sense an emptiness in the words and deeds, especially when Jesus states that their love had grown cold.

How did my Pastor friend restore the passion to his marriage?

How does a church return to its roots?

How do I, as a believer, avoid the potholes of empty religion?

Jesus’ message to the church of Ephesus in the first century applies to us as well. Has your faith grown cold? Jesus has a prescription to follow:

• Remember. Think about the passion you once felt for Christ and His work.
• Repent. Turn away from what has hampered your faith and turn your heart back to Christ.
• Return and do “the things you did at first.”

My pastor friend turned his heart back to his wife. Their marriage was a picture of faithfulness and devotion for all the years I knew them as a couple, even after a long health battle for his wife.

It was possible for the church in Ephesus and it is possible for any of us right now.