He Knows
Revelation 2:2-5 NLT
2 "I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
Jesus is addressing the churches in these first few chapters of Revelation. The first message was to the church in Ephesus. This is the group that Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians—a great doctrinal book. Depending on the translation, in every message to the churches, Jesus begins with "I know your works." The NLT says, "I know all you do." There is no getting around it; the Lord knows what we do for Him. Which means we should be doing something.
To the Ephesians, the Lord notes some of the positive things this church was doing. Jesus saw that this group worked hard and endured challenging things patiently. He knows. Jesus knew that the church in Ephesus did not tolerate evil people. No specifics are mentioned as to whether these evil people were in leadership or attempting to lead. But He knew and commended the church for not putting up with the evil.
Jesus also knew that the church did not buy into everyone who claimed to be an apostle. Another way of saying this is that the church did not embrace the leadership of those making claims of being sent to the church. Occasionally, we would have someone come to us, claiming to be sent by God to a place of leadership in the church. If that is the first thing out of your mouth, we flag that. And our stance is, we'll see. And Jesus knows. Jesus knew that this church had endured some difficult times without caving in or giving up. This church just wouldn't quit. Jesus knew these things.
The church was commended for where they did well. But Jesus also knew where they needed to adjust. They had left their first love. The NLT says they did not love each other or Jesus as they did at the first, when they first received Him. And He told them to repent and return to their former ways, or He would come and remove their lampstand from their place among the churches. This would imply a loss of leadership position among the churches. I cannot say that at 100%, but I do know that losing anything by having the Lord take it away is not a good thing.
Jesus knew what was going on in churches, and He both praised and corrected each of the seven. Since He knows what is going on in our lives, we are better off giving Him something to praise and just know that we'll always be adjusting.
Prayer
Lord, You know what is happening in my life. May what I do be pleasing in your sight.