Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Revelation chapter 2 verses 1 through 4:
‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
2 “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
We hold on now, seeking to remain faithful in these difficult times. We actively resist all evildoers, committing ourselves to the things that Jesus taught and did. This is a mighty struggle, and one not for the front of heart.
And yet in all our struggle, we know our greatest challenge is to hold on to love. For we can and shall do many good and strong things in the name of God and Christ, but if we have not love they are for not.
Jesus said, “In those days many will turn from the faith and will betray and hate one another . . . And because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
These are those days. Vileness and evil are strong and so many are tempted to fall into hatred and despair amidst all the increase of wickedness. And our love for one another has grown cold.
The Lesson today comes to us to tell us we must renew the love we had at first. We must find it again. In this new year we must find the love we once had for each other, for our neighbors, for the strangers and aliens, and even for our enemies.
We must find that love again in 2019. And when we find it, we must hold it very, very tight . . .
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