Anyone who has read Revelation is probably confused. There are, however, a few things early in the book that are understandable to our finite minds without a great deal of interpretive skill. The letters to the churches of Asia (chapters 2-3) can be helpful to us in knowing what the Lord approved and didn’t approve of in the various church’s lives.

Ephesus

A quick read of Revelation 2:2-3 impresses the reader with the idea that the church of Ephesus had it going on. I mean, when I stand before The Lord one day I would be thrilled to hear those words! Here they are:

I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3 ESV)

That sounds like everything is just perfect there, right? Until we hear these chilling words in the very next sentence:

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4, ESV)

Yikes! I never ever want to hear that from my Lord.

Workship

The point here is that no matter what else we do in life, if we forget to love the LORD because we’re so busy “serving Him” we have missed the whole point. Let’s not forsake our first love this year. In all things, remember to “Love The Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37).

Yes, serve the LORD. Yes, work hard for His glory. But remember in all that doing and serving that the LORD has been gracious enough to call us His co-laborers or fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9). We are to work alongside Him, not just for Him.

Enjoy His presence today at work!

Greg is the President of OPEN USA. He used his education to work as a tentmaker in the Middle East for 8.5 years seeking to plant a church amongst a least-reached people group. Currently back in the USA with his wife and children, they aim to return to finish what the LORD used them to start.

To learn more about B4T, read Business for Transformation by Patrick Lai.

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