The FIRST WORKS
"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".
— Revelation 2:5
Introduction
Our access to enjoying continuous flow of grace is hinged on keeping rooted to the first love and first works.
The church in Ephesus grew very strong in spirit, having discernment, laboring for the Lord and were consistent continuing in several faithful activities for the Lord. In the course of time, they left their first love paying more attention to service, what they did for the Lord; the soul winning outreaches, the various community projects and many other good works.
If anything is to be loved more than all other, it's God. God is our first love. If it is not Him, the love for any other thing above Him and before Him is 'idolatry'. For it is written:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." — Exodus 20:3
When we first discovered God's love and responded to that love we enjoyed the riches of His grace and grew strong. We did everything such as waking up early to worship him and fellowship in His presence; kept vigil studying, meditating and praying; giving sacrificially and several other actions that showed we love Him.
However, for a number of reasons we soon loose track of those things that made for our growth. The reason(s) for this can always be traced to one or more of the following:
1. Busyness:
Majority of us are guilty of this tendency ( or should I call it sin) because we live in a busy world full of activities. Each of our days are loaded with various functions and activities under the sun that ranges from family, professional job, community to social schedules.
2. What to eat and drink (Cares of life:
Getting needs and necessities met is the driving force behind our busy schedule for "work days'. Many of us work 12 to 14 hours everyday trying to make ends meet. We haven't learnt to trust Him to make ends meet for us. We have a thousand and one reasons why we must go to work. And we are fully persuaded there could be no other way. What a miserable life we live, struggling!
3. Pursuit of ministry:
Those who are actively engaged in divine service, as a Minister of the gospel or involved in ministry of helps often find it hard drawing the line between sowing and harvest, and the time of rest and waiting for instructions from the Master. We line up several daily, weekly and yearly programmes, that leaves no room for a time of waiting upon Him. Both the leaders and followers become maximally engaged that little or no room is even left for personal time with the Lord.
4. Pursuit of worldly affairs:
I find it amazingly disturbing that we still have majority of Believers who make it a thing of interest pursuing worldly affairs. What makes for 'worldly affairs' are so numerous that attempting to make a list of such items falling under this classification, will consume my limited space in this discuss.
5. Success and Wealth gained (comfort and pleasures enjoyed from wealth):
For some very few, the complacent attitude following success in amassing wealth for the days ahead is the reason for leaving the first love. No sooner than they have gotten a breakthrough in business, career, marriage or a problematic situation, do these ones forget all the devotion that brought the breakthrough.
6. Others (Un-forgiveness and Offences of the Cross):
The offence of the cross never ceases. Till tomorrow, all Believers are commanded to take up their cross, embracing every persecution, betrayal, disappointments, ... e.t.c. Un-forgiveness and discouragement coming from unmet expectations and disappointments in relationship can affect our love for God. The emotional pain that results from interaction with neighbors is enough factor for many to stop doing the first works.
The call by the Lord Jesus to do the first works is a loving rebuke and mercy to any Believer to avoid falling away or falling out of God's grace.
While it's true that we are saved by FAITH, It must not be forgotten also that we also stand by the first works of faith. Now, we should ask, what are the FIRST WORKS?
These are the FIRST WORKS:
(1). Personal Time of Fellowship and Intimacy with Him (CLOSET TIME);
Matt 6: 6; Lk 10: 38 - 42.
It's a time of attending to the Lord without distractions. This is not Quiet time of a few minutes but a quality and qualitative time of intimacy waiting to worship, listen and finding out what's on His mind.
(2). Time of MEDITATION in the Word;
Ps 1: 3 - 4 & Josh 1: 8
”But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night”.
— Psalm 1:2
Meditation in God's word is placed at the same ranking or level with prayer. Most Believers hardly meditate in the scriptures. Yet, it's a powerful means of drawing life from the Wellspring of God's grace.
(3). Time of Waiting for His words of Instructions;
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD".
— Proverbs 8:34-35
(4) Time of personal study of the Bible;
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
— 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Tim 2: 15 and 3: 16 & 17;
Studying scriptures is part of the first works which the Bible commends to be a noble work. The Bible shouldn't only be studied devotionally , doctrinally but especially by "spirit inspired study". Spirit inspired study is the kind of study wherein the Holy Spirit Himself stirs your research into the truth. It often yield revelations and personal insights.
(5). Time of Prayers;
Acts 3: 1; Acts 6:2 - 4;
The early Apostle and Believers were steadfast in prayer. They never missed the hours of prayer. We are not surprised to see the level of power and authority they walked in because they gave themselves to prayer and the word. Each of us must set times of prayer apart from the corporate prayer meetings.
(6). Time of Vigil and or Fasting to seek His help, and know His plans. Vigils enable us spend more time waiting in His presence, while fasting, when coupled with prayers, sharpens the spirit-man and strengthens it. A Believer must also create this time a number of times in every season of life
It's wisdom to CREATE personal times for these works (Eccl 3: 1 - 2)
Prayer Points
1. Father thank you for upholding me by your grace.
2. Teach me to keep myself in your love.
3. Show me areas where I've neglected the first works .
4. Teach me to deal with everything pulling me out of my first love.