[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]

[Hebrews 4:10‭-‬11 KJV] “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”.

[Revelation 2:1‭-‬7 KJV] “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God”.

The text above reveals that a church can have works, labours, patience, intolerance towards evil, and endurance, and yet lack the main thing that adds value to all these and pleases the Lord: first love.

God is more interested in the love you have for Him more than what you do for Him. He wants us to love Him with all of our hearts and souls and minds, and with all being. Love is a key thing, an important key to pleasing God and to keep occupying your place at the spiritual gates and corridors of power. There are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love; love is the greatest. Love is not the most important per say but love is the greatest.

[1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV] “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity”.

[1 Thessalonians 1:1‭-‬7 KJV] “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia”.

It is important to understand that every church has a place it occupies and a purpose she fulfills. We must return to our first love if we want to occupy and stand in our place as appointed. There is a place we occupy as a church. There is something God has called us to do, this is the times to arise and just do it. We cannot be laid back, we cannot be timid, we cannot continue to sleep, we cannot be complacent, we cannot be indifferent. This is the time to arise and act.

We must be up and doing. You cannot be idle, something must occupy a man, and it must be the will and work of God. We must arise and do the work of the Lord in love. As I said, what God is looking for is our love; God want us to love Him with all of our hearts and souls, and being, and minds.

Without love; our labour, the work of faith, and patience in hope mean very little to God (See Hebrews 6:10).

If there is one thing that God will not forget, it is our labour of love. Your labour of love means a lot to God. God wants you to do it not because it is easy but because you love Him (See Mark 12:29-30).

Remember| Repent|and Do the first works

Why, because;

1. God has prepared something for those who love Him:

[1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV] “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”.