Revelation 3: “To the angel of the church in Sardis
write:
“This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits
of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the
reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! 2 So wake up, and
strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what
you have done is not yet perfect in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then,
what you were taught and what you heard; obey it and turn from your sins. If
you do not wake up, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not even
know the time when I will come. 4 But a few of you there in Sardis have kept
your clothes clean. You will walk with me, clothed in white, because you are
worthy to do so. 5 Those who win the victory will be clothed like
this in white, and I will not remove their names from the book of the living.
In the presence of my Father and of his angels I will declare openly that they
belong to me.
6 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to
the churches!
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After working all
day, I went to visit someone. It took a while to get there and I spent most of
the evening enjoying the time. It was late when I left and I had more than an
hour to drive home. About fifty-five minutes into the trip I woke up driving up
an exit ramp that was not mine. I slammed on brakes, rolled the window down and
drove home locally.
- I thought I was awake, but I was sleep driving.
- I was lulled to sleep by the repetitious mileage.
- After waking up, I had to do something different!
John, the disciple
JESUS loved, quotes JESUS giving a warning to Sardis. This church thought they
were alive, when they were really acting dead. They may have fallen into a
false sense of security because of their reputation of being on fire, but JESUS
saw they were not walking with HIM.
My Observations:
- JESUS wants me to remember what I was taught and what I heard about HIM.
- “My” reputation does not matter, rather doing GOD’s good and perfect will does.
- Waling with JESUS is important to HIM so I should choose to do this daily.
Thinking I am awake
and being awake are two different things. I mean, I can be doing things that
seem right, but I may, in fact, be going through the motions without my heart
being filled with the presence of GOD. I can go to church, sing songs and give
money without believing in the power of JESUS.
GOD wants me to “Wake
up” to what JESUS has done and is doing in my life every day. HE wants me to turn
from my sinful pats on my own back to see that I need help daily. HE wants me
to return back to the days when I was on fire for the LORD because I had just
accepted HIM as my Savior.
Challenge
- What reputation do you think the writer is speaking of?
- Have you ever thought you were doing GOD a favor by doing what feels comfortable to you?
- Will you return to the fire you once had for JESUS so you can make HIM known to many today?
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