Deeds, Toil and Perseverance

When the risen Lord Jesus spoke to the Ephesians Church in the Book of Revelation, He referred to three aspects, among others, concerning the believers in verse 2 – their deeds, their toil and their perseverance.

The Apostle Paul, while writing to the Thessalonians through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, used similar terms in his first letter, chapter 1, verse 3 – work of faith, labour of love and steadfastness of hope.

What can we understand from these strikingly similar passages in scripture? Before dwelling on them, it would be good to remind ourselves of some basic truths which make up the foundation of our Christian faith.

1. The spiritual realm is as real as the natural realm. In as much as we are certain of the reality of the visible world around us, the unchanging truth is that the Lord God and the heavenly kingdom, though invisible to us, are as real. God is the great unseen Reality and all other realities, visible or invisible, are dependent on Him. He has always been there and He will continue to be there regardless of our notions of Him. This spiritual world is not future but present and is shining all around us. The fundamental difference in the two realities is that what is seen is temporal and what is unseen is eternal. (Heb. 11:6; 13-16; 10; 12:28; 2Cor. 4:18)
   
   
2. The Lord God abounds in immeasurable love for us. His compassion and mercy are rich towards us. His favour is not only rich but through Christ Jesus has been lavished upon us. His perfect and manifold wisdom, His marvelous plans, His constant goodness and faithfulness are directed toward us and are unchanging and steadfast. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. (Ex. 34:6; Eph. 1:7,8; Eph. 2:10; Jas. 1:17; Rom. 8: 38,39)
   
   
3. There is only one right relationship between the Creator and the creature, which is us. There is no other right relationship. This relationship involves us giving God the rightful and first place in every aspect of our lives. When our every decision, our every thought, all the words from our mouth and all our actions exalt Him, honour Him and please Him, we know that we are in a right relationship with God. That a saving work has already been done in our lives is taken for granted here. (Mt. 22:37,38)

Having reminded ourselves of these basic truths, let us consider the three aspects referred to at the start of this writing.

• Work of Faith: The Amplified Bible refers to faith as the leaning of the whole human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness. Our deeds each day should stem from such a leaning on God. Our complete dependence on Him for His provision, His direction and His will pleases Him immensely. “The Lord delights in those who put their hope in His unfailing love.” If in all our pursuits, in all our difficulties, in all our failings, even in our rejection, each day, every time we lean every fibre of our being in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness, I believe this work of faith glorifies the Lord. (Ps. 147:11; 118:8; Prov. 3:5,6)
  
  
• Labour of Love: The Lord Jesus told us that the second important commandment is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The Bible exhorts us to be useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted, readily and freely forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave us. We are asked to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves, each looking not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others – having the same attitude as that in Christ Jesus. The Word of God continues to strongly encourage us not to grow weary in doing good and to share with others. If in our ambition to live in God’s will, this labour of love, through His enabling, becomes our constant striving, then I believe the Lord God is exalted. (Mt. 22:39&40; Eph. 4:32; Php. 2:3-5; Gal. 6:9; Heb.13:16; Eph.4:28[b])
  
  
• Steadfastness of Hope: The scriptures are filled with the constant reminder that in our walk here on earth, it is very, very important for us to persevere. “In just a little while,” the author of the Book of Hebrews tells us “in just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” “Hold on to what you have until I come.” “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” If in our life, through the darkest of times, when all seems despairingly lost, we can continue with praise on our lips, joy in our heart and steadfastness of hope, I believe the One who called us and gave His life for us is lifted high. (Heb. 10:37,38; Rev. 2:25; 2:3; 14:12)

The Ephesians Church had her deeds, toil and perseverance, but sadly she lacked the sincerity and simplicity of devotion that a beloved enthralled in the love of her Lover should have. Somewhere down the line in her walk with the Lord she drifted from her first love. Could her deeds of faith, her toil of love and her perseverance of hope been a drag – something that she must do – and lacked fire and passion in seeing the name of her God lifted high? (2Cor. 11:3) 

Characteristic of the patient, merciful God that He is, the Lord Jesus says, “Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent – change the inner man to meet God’s will – and do the deeds you did at first.”  (Rev. 2:5)