Ephesus, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
Now, allow me to give you more insight into the city of Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor, a center of land and sea trade, and along with Alexandria and Antioch in Syria, one of the three most influential cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. As I stated in the previous article, the temple of Diana (Artemis) was one of the ancient wonders of the world and was located in this city. A major industry was the manufacture of images of this goddess. Take a few minutes to read Acts 19:21-41. The ambassador Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years and warned the Ephesians that false teachers would come and try to draw people away from their faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. False teachers did indeed cause problems with the Ephesian believers. This shows why it is so important to read and study the Lord God's Constitution (the Bible). But the believers resisted them, as we can see from ambassador Paul's letter to them. I strongly encourage you to read the whole book of Ephesians thoroughly.
The ambassador John also spent much of his ministry in this city and knew that they had resisted false teachers. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars"
During this period of time, the believers at the church of Ephesus had constantly refused to tolerate disobedience (sin) to the Lord Jesus' Word among its members.
Where are you today? Have you allowed yourself to slide into the mindset of this world's system? Keep this in mind: it wasn't easy in a city noted for its immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Diana. Does this remind you of many cities in your country? We also are living in times of widespread disobedience, sin and sexual immorality. In this world system, it is popular to be open-minded toward many types of sin and disobedience to the Lord God's Constitution (Bible). We are calling them personal choices or alternative lifestyles. Personal as opposed to God's? Alternative as opposed to Biblical? When citizens of the Kingdom begin to tolerate disobedience and sin in their congregation of believers, it is lowering their standards and compromising the culture of the Kingdom. It is no longer a Kingdom culture, but a worldly culture--with all the residue that comes with it. Remember, the Lord God's approval is most definitely more important than the world's approval.
My closing remark to you, as always, "Your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is your greatest asset!"
Acts 19:21-41 Acts 20:29-31 Revelation 2:2
~~W.R. Luchie
The ambassador John also spent much of his ministry in this city and knew that they had resisted false teachers. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars"
During this period of time, the believers at the church of Ephesus had constantly refused to tolerate disobedience (sin) to the Lord Jesus' Word among its members.
Where are you today? Have you allowed yourself to slide into the mindset of this world's system? Keep this in mind: it wasn't easy in a city noted for its immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Diana. Does this remind you of many cities in your country? We also are living in times of widespread disobedience, sin and sexual immorality. In this world system, it is popular to be open-minded toward many types of sin and disobedience to the Lord God's Constitution (Bible). We are calling them personal choices or alternative lifestyles. Personal as opposed to God's? Alternative as opposed to Biblical? When citizens of the Kingdom begin to tolerate disobedience and sin in their congregation of believers, it is lowering their standards and compromising the culture of the Kingdom. It is no longer a Kingdom culture, but a worldly culture--with all the residue that comes with it. Remember, the Lord God's approval is most definitely more important than the world's approval.
My closing remark to you, as always, "Your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is your greatest asset!"
Acts 19:21-41 Acts 20:29-31 Revelation 2:2
~~W.R. Luchie
