In Rev. 2:1–7 Christ commends the church in Ephesus for their abundant works and faithful testimony in such a way that we might consider Ephesus to be a perfect church. Yet at the same time he threatens to remove its lampstand (close it down). What's the problem? Their works were indeed outstanding but their motivation for doing those works had ceased to be love for Christ. We turn to 1 Cor. 13 to see that even the most amazing acts of self sacrifice and service are worthless in the eyes of God unless they are motivated by love for Christ. We are challenged to test our motives and, if they are found wanting, to repent, and "do the first works"—works motivated solely by a love for Christ poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

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