With Me In The Winepress – Ephesians 1:15

This excerpt from our Bible study on the book of Ephesians reminds us that what we do must always begin and end with a focus on Jesus.

Ephesians 1:15 (ESV)
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

Revelation 2:5 (ESV)
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Paul follows up talking about Jesus’s love in guaranteeing us with a verse about the love of the saints. Essentially he was rejoicing because He could see God’s love in them, through their faith and love. Their beliefs, actions, and speech were fruits of God’s love working in them.

We cannot work to our fullest without His love flowing through us. We may perform the acts of Ministry, but if His love isn’t flowing freely in our lives, it will not produce what God desires to in us. It’s interesting that verse fifteen was written to the Ephesians, and later Christ would say to them in Revelation they had abandoned their first love, even though they were still working.

Working without love becomes a burden, working with love flowing reveals it’s joy. What we are called to do must never become our primary focus, it must always be The Who we are doing it for that makes the difference. The Who we serve must always be the reason for our why!