Those at Ephesus had departed, fallen away, or apostatized from their relationship with Jesus. They had left their first love. What had gone wrong? They had stopped living by grace through faith—which is the vehicle by which God moves in-and-through our lives. Rather, they had become convinced that their works were in fact good and godly works. Yet, to live by grace through faith is that “first work” where we are believe with our heart, mind, soul, and strength that we are needy, and He is our only provision. Religion deludes us to this reality, and it tempts us to move from that place of 100% dependence upon God to a place where we ultimately confuse our works for His works.
