Revelation 3:1-13

Revelation 3:1-13

Ours is a society that accepts the ideal that “image is everything.” That mindset was apparently part of the church at Sardis. The description of that church could apply to many churches and individual Christians today: “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” We will go to great lengths to appear to have it all together. The problem is that the facade will only last so long. Many churches and individual Christian have worked hard to appear to be spiritually healthy while not addressing more fundamental and spiritual issues. Sooner or later the truth always comes out. A church or believer with significant problems can only be restored by directly and honestly addressing those issues. The nature of the problem in the church at Sardis was not the issue we typically get worked up about. They were not having a problem of worship or music or style, personality or leadership, or budgets or spending. It was a problem of deeds or works. Our works do not save us, but when we neglect works, we end up neglecting the relationship that ought to prompt or motivate our behaviors. It is vitally important that we notice the metaphor of the thief coming. We often associate this metaphor with the lost being left out or left behind. This warning is not for non-Christians, but for the church. It is the Christian, the church, that needs to be concerned with being caught unaware at Christ’s return. It is the church whose works are incomplete that is being warned in this passage. 

Related to the letter to the church at Sardis is the warning to the church in Philadelphia. This church is on the other side of the coin; it is sort of an opposite, mirror image. They have not missed their opportunity to complete their deeds as Sardis had; they were facing their opportunity. If the door was closing on Sardis, it was just beginning to open for Philadelphia. The opportunity for Philadelphia was disproportionate to their strength. It was because they had little strength that they were given such wonderful opportunities. In addition to their little power, they had two other qualifications. First, they have kept the word of the Lord, and their lives reflected His command and authority over them. Second, they have not denied Him when the pressure was on; they remained loyal to Him. Here is good news for every disciple: all three of these qualifications are easily within our grasp. We need not wait until we have achieved some level of capacity in order to take advantage of God-given opportunity. Never say “no” to an opportunity because you lack some credential. If it is the good work the Lord has prepared for us, our loyalty to His word and person is all the credentials He thinks we need. This does not mean an absence of hardship. Hardships are promised, but in those hardships He will keep us. There is nothing wrong with degrees or training, but what makes a disciple is loyalty. 

“Lord, help me to always put on confidence in You and not my credentials or training.  AMEN