It’s very common for us to associate what we do for God with WORKS, but God drew my attention to the word ‘WORKS.’

In the letters sent out to the churches of Asia Minor (the 7 Churches of Revelation), the Lord Jesus pointed out the things that he held against the Church of Ephesus, though this church seemed perfect in its ‘WORKS’.

How could one not admire them? Their actions seemed to be, and were very correct to the eyes of all. There was real evidence that they fought false doctrines, and of their tireless dedication towards everything that was necessary to a Christian, as well as to the service to God.

However, when the Lord Jesus said:

“I know your WORKS…
… and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary.” Revelation 2:2-3

I noticed that in the first sentence the two terms are separate, giving us the idea that, although they may be associated, they are not the same thing!

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first WORKS…” Revelation 2:5

Soon after, the word ‘WORKS’ is used once more as a determining factor when displeasing God. But how can we go back to the first WORKS? If they were tireless in their service, remained upright and honest in their conduct… they kept practising their first deeds and did not seem to have fallen? Their love appeared to be the same!

Apparently, they kept doing the first “WORKS and they didn’t seem to have changed, but that’s the catch! If we consider WORKS to be the same as labour (even if it is for God), it really doesn’t fit in with this church. However, WORKS are one thing and labour is another.

When consulting a dictionary, I also saw that WORK can be considered an intellectual production. Even in civil construction, before having workers executing the WORK, it was built in someone’s mind first. WORK is related to the construction of ideas, thoughts, intentions, and not necessarily to what is being done.

On the other hand, the Church of Smyrna was not mentioned for its labour, but it was approved. Ephesus would do things, but the Lord Jesus did not admonish it for its labour (the things that are seen), but for its WORKS (which are not seen).

WORKS are not what is being done, but they are the ideas that are built up towards doing something, which is directly linked to conscience in regard to God.

With the WORKS of the first love, there is no construction of evil thought, criticism, malice, complaints, deficiencies, routine, doubt, competition, personal interest, self-promotion… (regardless of the good one is doing).

Our WORKS happen in us, while the labour is performed outside, through action!

“The PREPARATIONS OF THE HEART belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord WEIGHS THE SPIRITS. Commit your WORKS to the Lord, and your THOUGHTS will be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3