The letter to Ephesus, like all subsequent letters, begins with an address, is followed by a self-designation of Christ, words of praise, and, last time we listened to words of condemnation, “Thou hast left thy first love.” But Christ does not stop there. Christ, as the heavenly bridegroom, desires a pure bride. Therefore, the words of condemnation are followed by words of correction and warning. They come in the form of three admonitions, all related to previously expressed rebuke of lack of love.
The first one is, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen.” (Revelation 2:5) In other words, leaving behind one’s first love is a fall. The Song of Songs of love does not sound any more. We read in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” At the end of the same chapter, we read in verse 13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Oh, it is so special to experience the love of Christ. It ignites the flame of love in our hearts, consumes us completely, and causes deep love, joy, and peace. Ezekiel 16 describes what happened to the people of Israel who experienced the Lord's love in their hearts. But we read in verse 15, “But thou didst trust in thine own beauty.” Oh, that ”But!” How sweet is the voice of the Lord, how alluring to the heart of Jerusalem, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen.”
The second exhortation is, “And repent.” The Lord asks to return to His love and to do so with confession of sin. The Lord longs for fellowship and communion with his church.
The third exhortation is, “and do the first works.” The Lord asks for works that rise from a heart filled with love. What are our works without love? The summary of the Ten Commandments is contained in this one word, “Love.” What about our love?