When Jesus speaks, we ought to listen, especially when He is commending or correcting specific things in the lives of His followers. The Book of Revelation gives us some special insight into what Jesus really values in a church. In Revelation chapters 2-3 Jesus has messages for 7 specific churches. In these messages Jesus corrects and commends the churches. If we will pay careful attention, it shows us as His followers what Jesus values. Let’s take a closer look at the message given to the church in Ephesus from Revelation 2:1-7.
Jesus commends the Church in Ephesus for having a tough mind. They were the kind of church that had some grit to them. They had endured hardship, and not been swayed by false teaching. They had a handle on the truth and were willing to see it through to the end. Jesus told them,
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. -Revelation 2:2, ESV
Jesus also had a word of correction for the Church in Ephesus. Their hearts had become hard. Through the toil and trouble, the tenderness of their walk with Jesus had been lost. They needed to repent and renew the love that they once had. Jesus told them,
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. -Revelation 2:4, ESV
There is indeed a balance in our Christian walk. We need to be both tough-minded and tender-hearted. Are you struggling with one of those today? Has your mind become weak? Is it hard to persevere? Have you lost sight of the truth? Or perhaps has your heart become hard? Have you become apathetic or lost a love you once had? As His follower, Jesus wants both your mind and heart to be in the right place. He wants you to hold to the truth without wavering while freely dispensing grace. He wants you to think critically and love unconditionally. He wants you to have a tough mind and a tender heart.