Revelation 2:3: And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Jesus and His Word
How gracious of the Lord to start with words of commendation! To begin with, this was a serving church, busy doing the works of the Lord. No doubt their weekly schedule was filled with activities. It was also a sacrificing church, for the word labor means “toil to the point of exhaustion.” The Ephesian Christians paid a price to serve the Lord. They were a steadfast assembly, for the word patience carries the meaning of “endurance under trial.” They kept going when the going was tough. 1
Jesus and His Ways
- Jesus, because of Your endearing love for me, teach me to love others with Godly patience. -“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
- Jesus, because You were pinned to a cross for me, teach me to let go of sin and run my race for You. – “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
- Jesus, because You never loss sight of Your purpose, please strengthen my heart, and teach me to live purposefully for You. – “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1
Jesus and His Work
If your perseverance is not in His strength, there will soon be no strength to do anything worthwhile. – TWEET IT
Jesus and His Promise
“…Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 571). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.