The One risen from the dead who stands in the midst of the churches and watches over His people (Rev. 1:12-13, 20) does not see churches the way we see them. For example the church in Laodicea boasted, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17), but the One who watches over the churches replied, “and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” This powerfully illustrates that Christ does not see us as we sometimes we see ourselves. Real wealth is not determined by what a congregation (or individual) has in their bank account but rather what is in their faith account, (Rom. 4:22).The strength of a church is not determined by their “purchase power” but rather the good works they perform. If we saw ourselves sometimes the way The Watcher of our souls see’s us, we might be shocked.

Another example is church in Sardis who the Alpha and the Omega said, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead,” (Rev. 3:1). Paul writing to Timothy explains that the widow “who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives” (1 Tim. 5:6). These individuals may have breath in their bodies and enjoy the ability to walk and talk but God sees them as spiritual zombies. The one with the keys of “Death and Hades” (Rev. 1:18), addresses the church in Ephesus. Looking at this church through human eyes, they appeared to be a busy, spiritually minded, and a faithful church, (Rev. 2:2-3). Read how determined this church was, “you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.” The very next verse peers right into the heart of this active church, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” This is a case where works alone is not sufficient. There must be proper motivation. That motivation should be out of our love for Christ.

Sometimes our spiritual life becomes rote and superficial with no pure drive. With that attitude we become like the Pharisees in the days of Christ. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Luke 11:42). Just because we do the right things does not make it right if our hearts are wrong. In 1 Cor. 13, (which is the great chapter of love) Paul writes in verse 3, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” There is no profit in the works we do if love is not the motivation. It is so easy for our spiritual life to become mere habit without the attitudes for which Christ is looking for in His people.

To these churches that Christ rebuked, He commanded them to repent. As a church which belongs to Christ we need to examine ourselves and try to see ourselves as Christ see’s us and make the appropriate changes. That is true repentance.

 

 

Rev 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”

 

Terry Jackson