Cold Doctrine

“You have abandoned the love that you had at first.” (Rev. 2:4)

The Ephesians were sharp in doctrine, but dull in love. 

They were solid, but not tender. They called out error in their enemies, but not evidence of grace in their brothers. They inspected their teachers, but they did not inspect their hearts. 

They were immovable, but not motherly; firm, but not fatherly; bold, but not brotherly—forgetting that the world would recognize the family of God by their love. 

They held onto the truth of Christ, but they had forgotten the way of Christ.

I know that you have stood firm. I know that you have spread truth and cut off error. I know you have a discerning mind. And this is good.

But how is your heart?

Have you been digging into theology while abandoning the needs of your brother and sister? Is your heart as soft as your mind is sharp? Do you love Jesus more than you did at first—not only with your mind but with your affections?

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen … If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Rev. 2:5)

Jesus will take the lampstand from Christians who have sound doctrine but do not have love.

The sinful woman in Simon’s house didn’t have time for doctrinal hair-splitting. She was too busy wiping his feet with her hair. 

If you’ve left love behind, go back to the start. 

Enter the secret place, where Jesus is—and let his love revive what has been lost. 

He who raised you from the dead is able to restore the affections that have dried out over time.