From the outside, it seemed the church in Ephesus was doing everything right. They were faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1) and had love toward all the saints (Ephesians 1:15).
Then we fast forward into the future. Although the Ephesians were hardworking, had patient endurance, did not tolerate evil within their midst and did not grow weary when enduring hardship in His name, Jesus held one thing against them: they had abandoned their first love (Revelation 2:2-4). They were doing good things, but their hearts were not Humbly Submitted to Him.
May we learn from the mistakes of the church in Ephesus and always be a people who love Him profoundly first, letting our actions flow out of His strength rather than our own.