The Tree of Life

We Worship God
A Guide for Worship Leaders:
All Things New

 Revelation 2:1-7  (The Message)

To Ephesus

 ¹ Write this to Ephesus, to the Angel of the church. The One with Seven Stars in his right-fist grip, striding through the golden seven-lights' circle, speaks: ^2-3"I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. ^4-5"But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!
   "Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.
 ⁶"You do have this to your credit: You hate the Nicolaitan business. I hate it, too.
 ⁷"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'm about to call each conqueror to dinner. I'm spreading a banquet of Tree-of-Life fruit, a supper plucked from God's orchard."

For Reflection
Even the most dedicated, the most enthusiastic, the most faithful, step off Righteous Road.  The church at Ephesus seemed to have been a model worthy of emulation.  But over time it deviated from the true path. 

The Nicolatians thought that because the Law was no longer binding they could engage in sinful pleasures with out penalty.  A form of Gnosticism, this philosophy encouraged early Christians to believe in the mercy of God would be delivered no matter how they lived.  They were hearers of the word but not doers. 

I am certain that this business divided the congregations and created much chaos.  To what extent do you contribute to such chaos in your church life? When have you participated unwittingly in chaos?  Examine closely.  You may not be a innocent as you think.

Pray
that in the routine of daily living you see the temptations that lead to chaos.  Pray that you read God's signs and listen carefully to His whispered gentle guidance.