Revelation 2:2-3
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.

Jesus had different messages to each of the seven churches, but one thing He said to all of them is, “I know thy works.” And either He is pleased or displeased with what He finds, but He knows all about it. He knows the toiling of the faithful and the idleness of the lukewarm. He knows the state of every heart and whether it burns with love for Christ or it has fizzled out with unbelief. He knows those standing for truth and those willing to compromise. He knows every trial and challenge and who will remain steadfast and who will give up and walk away.

“I know thy works,” Jesus says to these seven churches, but couldn’t He also say that to my church and your church? Maybe even to my heart and your heart? Because He does know all that we do—or don’t do. He knows how we go about our work for Him. He knows which doctrines we are holding to. He knows the heart behind our works. He knows our motives and our intentions. And all of these things He can either commend or rebuke, depending on if they align with His way and His truth or they oppose what He stands for.

So under the watchful eye of my Lord and master, what will I do? Will I respond to His chastisement? Will I repent where I need to repent? Will I be encouraged to continue in those things that please Him? Will I look to Him for guidance in all that I seek to do and actually listen to the guidance that He gives to me? Will He find me faithful and busy about His business as He examines my works?