In writing to the seven churches there in Asia minor (modern day Turkey), Jesus begins each letter to them by giving a characteristic of Himself that would specifically speak to the church He was addressing and then telling them, "I know your works" and going on to describe just what those works were.
Those four words should make us stop and ponder: Jesus knows and sees all that you do and more specifically, He knows and sees all the work and labor that you do for Him (or perhaps for yourself).
If you are simply playing the game, fooling everyone into thinking you are super-spiritual but in reality you aren't, Jesus knows. If you are doing works to build a kingdom for yourself, that you may get recognized and for people to know your name, Jesus knows. If your works involve pornography and other filth (which shockingly statistics show that 50% of Christian men are addicted to the stuff), Jesus knows.
Even more importantly (and encouraging) for others: all the works you do for Jesus, He knows. Sadly, within the American church, it seems Christians strive to do all sorts of things to promote themselves. Or they put on pedestals only those who are in the spotlight due to huge numbers or celebrity. However, Jesus sees when you pick up that small piece of trash off the church floor that everyone else ignored. He sees when you are sharing your faith with someone else even though you'll never be asked to get in front of an audience and tell how you shared your faith. He knows when you are faithfully teaching and serving in the children's ministry even though you're not boasting about yourself doing it on Twitter or Facebook! He knows!
He knows about Antipas (Revelation 2:13) even though none of us have a clue what this guy did (besides be a martyr). Jesus doesn't care if the world knows your name or not because we don't serve Him for our name - we serve Him for His name.
So if you are simply doing things for your name's sake, He knows. But if you are ministering unto Him and no one in the world or church knows or cares, He knows and He cares!
Be encouraged by this! For further study compare with: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
