Jesus Christ's love for us is a profound gift, freely given as an act of boundless affection, obligating us only when we meet the condition of repentance and faith, and remain loyal to Him. His concern for our works, as seen in the message to Ephesus in Revelation 2, centers on overcoming human nature, the world, and satan's deceits, just as He overcame these same influences without ever succumbing to sin. Our love for Him is expressed through keeping His commandments, a direct reflection of His teaching in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments," showing that love is active and working when we obey. If our love for Christ diminishes, so too will our commitment to His commandments and the right works, risking a complete loss of connection to Him. In John 21, after His resurrection, He asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" emphasizing that love is life's greatest privilege and responsibility, often involving sacrifice, as seen in Peter's life of service and eventual martyrdom. This love, greater than faith or hope as Paul states in I Corinthians 13, is essential, for without it, there is no sonship with God, as Christ Himself declared in John 8:42 that true sonship is proven by love for Him. Christ's command to Peter to "Feed My sheep" underscores that loving Him drives the right works, such as serving His flock, and is rooted in both agape—a deliberate, principled love involving judgment and will—and phileo—a natural, affectionate family love. He calls us to love Him above all others, prioritizing Him over family and friends, ensuring that our devotion remains strong, for waning love leads to a cessation of good works and a drift toward spiritual idolatry. Our love for Christ arises from His initial love for us, stirring a response of obligation and appreciation as we recognize His sinless life, His victory over sin and death, and His offer of eternal life. This growing attachment, paralleling human relationships from acquaintance to intimate union, leads us to surrender fully to Him, desiring to conform to His will. His love, shed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and fueled by gratitude for His sacrifice, compels us, as it did Paul in II Corinthians 5:14, to live not for ourselves but in service to Him and others. Finally, Christ's admonition to the Ephesian church to renew their earlier devotion highlights the danger of losing that deep, ardent affection for Him, which is not merely dutiful but filled with passionate commitment. This devotion, essential to maintaining the right works, must be guarded against indifference and faithlessness, ensuring our love for Him remains the mainspring of our actions.

The love of Jesus Christ is a profound and transformative force that compels us to live not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again. His love, as seen in the relationship with His people, is not merely legal but deeply affectionate, cherishing us with a timeless tenderness that draws us into His bosom even while we were yet sinners. This love, consistent and unchanging, forms the foundation of our relationship with Him, providing eternal security as we are held in His hand, safe under any circumstance. Christ's love constrains us, as it did Paul, changing how we perceive others and aligning our perspective with God's. It drives a transformation from carnal thinking to spiritual belief, urging us to submit to Him fully. This love is the source of all good, and abiding in it through a personal relationship with Him is the means to participate in His life. Responding to His embrace, we are called to love Him in return, not just through commandment-keeping, but with a heartfelt affection that mirrors His own. For those who move from group to group seeking fulfillment, the solution lies not in changing congregations but in focusing on their relationship with Christ. His love is the key to settling restlessness, as He never instructed His followers to seek happiness elsewhere but to repent where they are. Even the most perfect minister, Jesus Himself, lost followers, yet His presence as the Head of the church remains, urging us to address internal struggles through repentance rather than relocation. Participation in Christ's life brings abundant joy and fruitfulness, far beyond mere attendance or doctrinal adherence. True fellowship requires unity of mind and submission to His love, reflecting a docile and submissive attitude rather than an adversarial one. As we strive toward the pinnacle of always pleasing Him, as He did His Father, we must prioritize faith over variable feelings, allowing His unchanging love to guide us. Ultimately, smiting brethren through criticism or gossip is akin to smiting Christ Himself, for we are part of His body. The environment may be challenging, but it does not excuse us from living pure lives in seamless relationship with Him. The real solution for those unsettled is to straighten out their personal connection with Christ, recognizing that running down others only worsens their spiritual state. Instead, they should focus on returning His love, embracing the tender, timeless relationship He offers.

The message to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:1-7 reveals a critical issue: they had allowed their love for Jesus Christ to deteriorate. Despite their initial devotion, the combination of deferred hope for His return, persecutions, and worldly pressures caused them to drift apart from Him. They became weary with well-doing, losing attentiveness to their relationship with Christ, neglecting the daily spiritual sustenance He provided. Christ, however, did not lose His attentiveness to them, continually working through His apostles and the church to stir them up, though they paid little heed. Their lack of love manifested in their actions, as they looked to the world for gratification rather than maintaining their bond with Him. Christ warned them of their problem, offered advice to return to their former devotion, and provided incentive to overcome. The solution was to redirect their energies, to sow the right seeds, knowing that God's Word always produces fruit. If they recaptured their love for Him, the right works would follow, and they would reap a harvest of well-being and assurance that things were right with God. Love for Christ is shown through constant thought of Him, as what one loves, one thinks and speaks about. True Christians delight in hearing about Him, enjoying fellowship where He is discussed. They are eager to read scriptures that reveal His expectations, finding no burden in His commands, for His burden is light. They strive to please Him, to be holy in body, mind, and spirit, following what He delights in and avoiding what He hates. Their fellowship with Him is a companionship, sharing common ground in their love for Christ, despite physical differences among believers. Moreover, love for Christ involves being jealous for His name and honor, glorifying and magnifying Him in their lives through conduct that reflects their affection. They long for His return with eager desire, yearning for an unbroken, unending companionship with Him, free from the pain and uncertainty of this world. This longing, if not nurtured, can wane as it did with the Ephesians, who, despite wanting to be with Christ, lost sight of the responsibilities of the relationship. To maintain this love, one must actively think about Him, hear about Him, read about Him, please Him, cherish His friends, honor His name, talk to Him, and desire to be always with Him.