“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

In the New Testament, we are told who to work for: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Saints glorify God with everything they do. “We make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).

The Saint compares the temporary pleasures of Earth with the eternal states of Heaven and Hell, and sees there’s no contest. He knows, for every second on Earth he endures, he’ll experience over 10,000 years of pleasure in Heaven. The only question is, does he do as little as possible to barely make it into Heaven, or does he heartily obey God’s Word?

If you ask that question, you should ask whether you’re saved. Saints gladly endure trials and persecutions in the hope of eternal life. They “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5). The Greek word translated “perseverance” is “stay-under”, so for the Christian, perseverance means “stay submitted to the Lordship of Christ” as He walks with you through trials.

Saints love God, so to them, the Great Commandment makes  sense: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

So, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

.