Are the Scriptures  designed to be a smorgasbord for picking and choosing or is it a manual for how to safely operate? “Have three, maintain two.” 

The Ephesian church was struggling. They were a “good” church. They were well respected. According to Revelation 2 they worked hard and kept themselves from those which were evil, BUT they had left their first love. They looked good but had quit maintaining their relationship with the Lord.

Good relationships take constant maintenance. Without maintenance relationships fail and cease to function well. Our Scripture text today reminds us that everyone needs three and must maintain two.