Keeping the Torch Lit

“The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit.” – Joseph Stowell

Revelation 2:2-5 “I know your works, your labor, your  patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested thosewho say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

The Church of Ephesus had been planted by the Apostle Paul. In fact he pastored there for 2 years. (See Acts 19). It is believed by many historians, and theologians that the Church of Ephesus helped to plant the other six churches addressed in the book of Revelation. Some of it’s members were like a “Who’s Who” in Christianity. It’s members included Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Paul, Timoth, John, and others. At one time, the disciple of Jesus, John was it’s pastor. When Timothy took the helm, as pastor, it is believed that the church had grown to over 50,000 members. I’m sure the pastors, elders, deacons, teachers, and spiritual leaders of the Ephesian Church had to fight a smug arrogance that they had succeeded in doing exactly as Jesus had commanded. I’m sure they felt like they were the plumb line for other churches for measuring success. Yet, Jesus, the Chief Shepherd saw that out of all their mighty works they were lacking the main ingredient: First Love Passion and Fire for Jesus.

Henry Blackaby, author of the study, Experiencing God, states: “Many people want God to call them to a big assignment. However, they try to bypass the love relationship…the love relationship is why God created you. That is far more important to Him than what you do. So anticipate that God will start working with you and drawing you to an intimate love relationship that is real and personal. When the love relationship is right, God will be free to begin giving you assignments at His initiative. Whenever you do not seem to be receiving assignments from God, focus on the love relationship and stay there until the assignment comes.”

Once Henry asked a church member, Can you describe your relationship with God by sincerely saying, “I love You with all my heart?” The strangest look came over the man’s face. He said, “Nobody has ever asked me that. No, I could not describe my relationship with God that way. I could say I obey Him, I serve Him, I worship Him, and I fear Him. But I cannot say I love Him.” Henry adds: “Everything in this man’s life was out of order because God’s basic purpose for his life was missing. If you cannot describe your relationship with God by saying that you love Him with all your being, you need to ask the Holy Spirit to bring you into that kind of a relationship.”