When I was in high school, I ran cross country. Granted, I wasn’t very devoted to it because I could never really understand why people would run for the sake of running, which is why I took up soccer my sophomore year. But still, I ran cross country.

I found one of the keys is discipline and consistency throughout the race. The only problem is I always started way too fast. I jumped off the starting line like the mobs on Black Friday when the doors finally open. I raced hard out of the gate and ended up winded just a half mile in. Slowly but surely, I settled into the middle of the pack as a result.

How many of us have the same experience when it comes to our walk with Jesus? We started like a blazing fire for Jesus, and now we are barely glimmering embers after hitting the realities of the world around us. Temptations and persecutions have slowly worn us down.

This is exactly where many of the early churches found themselves only a few short years after being planted by Paul. In fact, most of these churches begin with incredible faithfulness and passion for Jesus, but it’s not long until Satan begins to attack and the churches need renewal. The letters in Revelation are meant for just this purpose: spiritual renewal and encouragement.

In Revelation 2:1-11, we find Jesus addressing two churches. First, the church at Ephesus has apparently experienced just the issue that we’ve been talking about. They remained doctrinally faithful, but the passion and love that used to flow from that doctrine has slowly died away. They are no longer living lives that are fueled by the Gospel. Their love for Jesus and others has dwindled, and as a result, Jesus is calling for them to return to their love for Him rather than be satisfied merely with right doctrine.

The Ephesian church needed a renewal of the love and practice of their faith through repentance, and Jesus encourages them toward this end through the hope that they have in Jesus: eternal life with God.

The second church is Smyrna. The problem they face is from the outside: persecution. This persecution threatened their spiritual well being, too. Jesus encourages them with promises of the hope that is beyond this present life.

Both these churches were experiencing threats to their spiritual vitality: one from within and the other from without.

Whatever is threatening your spiritual life, you can find hope and renewal in the Gospel. Return to the words of Jesus. They are for you, Christian. Experience the renewal of your passion and burn brightly for Jesus once again.