"Consider How Far You've Fallen"

 

Today, we're looking at a verse in Revelation. 

Yes, the book that most people try to avoid. 

I think because it speaks of the End. It details the time of Judgement and really gets down to what happens to one's soul. 

I avoided reading the book of Revelation before too, but now, I realized that reading that book put things into perspective for a believer of Christ. 

It shows you the exact intent and order of God. 

The verse is:

Revelation 2:5*

"Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place"

This was a warning for the Church of Ephesus from the Lord. 

I would like to cross-examine this verse with Matthew 7:19

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit, will be chopped down and thrown into the fire"

I want you to take note the subjects such as the Church and the tree is already established. They didn't say that the church was just trying to begin or that the tree was a seed. 

It reminded the church to do the things it did at first. 

It told the tree that if it did not produce 'good' fruits meaning that it does produce fruits. 

It confirms that the tree wasn't barren or that the church was always upright. 

However, somewhere along the line, the tree had stopped producing good fruit. That somewhere along the line that the church stopped being upright. 

That they had become comfortable with just producing any kind of fruit. Or, that they became comfortable just being a church just in the 'name' of it. 

They had become comfortable missing a few services, or allowing a few things that they know they shouldn't be doing to slip on by. 

They got comfortable in praying only in the morning or just at night, and reading the Word once a week. 

Got comfortable gossiping and lying here and there. Fornicating, committing adultery 'just this one time'. 

They got comfortable allowing their jealousy and their flesh to overcome their spirit at times. 

They got comfortable sipping on it 'to soothe the stomach'. Or, smoking it to 'calm the nerves.

They got comfortable in having the form of Godliness and denying the power thereof. 

"Consider how far you've fallen"

Consider how long it has been since you have produced 'good' fruit.

Consider how long it has been since you have really spoken to the Lord. 

How long since you have really studied the Word, fast, practice kindness and gentleness. 

How long since you have shown love purely to others and goodness. 

How long since you have heard God speak to you, direct you. 

Consider how long since you have been led by the Spirit. 

How long since you have had a worship experience, or given praise to Him. 

How long since you have obeyed. 

How long since you have done the things that you have done at first when you got saved. The things that have once made you that established church or that tree that bore 'good' fruit. 

It's time to evaluate what you have been putting out lately. 

Look around you, do you think that God is pleased about where you are right now?

When last have you felt the connection between you and God's relationship?

Look at the friends you now have? Are they assigned by God for a purpose or are they idle for you?

Look at the places you go. The websites you now visit. 

The way your time is used when you're free and busy. 

'Consider' 

It means to think carefully before doing something. 

Think carefully about where you are now in life and be real with yourself. 

Only when you have 'consider' is when you would realize where your position in Christ is. 

Only then, will you be able to correct and right yourself. 

The scripture tells the Church of Ephesus after they have 'consider' to repent and do the things that they have once done.

He gave them the opportunity to change it around. 

To go back to the things they use to do. 

A warning to correct their path. To change the course of the fruits they produce. To change from bad to good again. 

Today, let's consider how far we may have fallen from doing the things of God.

Perhaps, we may have gotten comfortable in the name of who we are. 

Comfortable in saying that we are Christians, but we haven't been putting in work. We haven't been doing what Christ had ordained for us to do. 

Today, let's repent to God. Let's apologize for the slack we created. 

The turning away from the job we're supposed to be doing. The standard we're supposed to be upholding. 

Once, you have done so, continue making the step in the right direction. 

Don't allow yourself to slip back into that state. Continue pushing and producing good fruits. 

Here's a prayer to get you started after you have 'considered': 

Father, please forgive me for I have strayed away from the purpose you have for me. I have become comfortable and fallen away, but I ask that you please give me strength as I make my way back. Keep me vigilant, so that I may not drift back into that position. I repent, Heavenly Father. Please continue to work with me as I continue to work on remaining faithful to you. Amen. 

~TheRay