DOING THE FIRST WORKS
(week 34/11)
Olubi Johnson
Revelation 2:4-5 KJV: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) 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.
Here the Lord Jesus tells the Ephesian church and all Christians by extension to do the first works.
What are the first works?
They are the works of first importance and priority that if we do will keep us in the love of God and ultimately perfect our love both for God and men and so have all other things added unto us:
Matthew 6:33 KJV: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The first works are:
1. Work or spiritual labour to receive the life of God using the blood of Jesus and promises in the Word:
John 6:28-29 KJV: Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
2Peter 1:4 KJV: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Proverbs 10:16 KJV: The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
2. Labour in prayer with all kinds of prayer in the Spirit and travail:
Colossians 4:12 KJV: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
3. Labour in the Word:
1Timothy 5:17 KJV: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
It is only as we do these first works that our physical labour will prosper with divine approval and so be described as ‘good’ success rather than ‘bad’ success.
Joshua 1:8 KJV: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
