Ephesus: The Loveless Church

Here we begin the letters to the seven churches, starting with the church in Ephesus.  It appears that in one sense the church in Ephesus was very strong.  Jesus does not chastise them for staunchly guarding the doctrine of the Church; on the contrary, he praises them for this.  But their doctrine is without works of love.  Teaching rightly is no insignificant part of what the church does, but she must do it sheltered and moved by the tender loving kindness of Jesus who is among us and holds us in his hands.