“I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Acts 20:18

After Paul’s in-person ministry in Ephesus was completed, he met with the elders of the church and reminded them of his consistency both in public and in private life. He then went on to challenge the local church leaders.

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Acts: 20 28-30

From what we know in Scripture, the church in Ephesus did maintain its doctrinal integrity. This church is the first one addressed by Christ in Revelation –

“‘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.

Revelation 2: 2-3

The issue Jesus had with this church was their lost passion for the Gospel, saying, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Revelation 2:4).

For those of us who hold tightly to standing for what it right and upholding the truth of Scripture, there is the danger of letting our love grow cold. Sometimes that is seen in a lack of zeal for the lost all around us and it can also be the sin of just going through the motions in our relationship with Christ. Likely, it is both.