See If There is Any Wicked Way in Me

Nobody likes to be criticized.  The typical response of human nature is to deny the accusation, blame someone else, or "kill the messenger."  Obviously the Pharisees chose the brutal last response when Jesus exposed their hypocrisy.  On the other hand, Jesus always looks through the eyes of mercy, and as He told the woman caught in adultery, "neither will I condemn you, go and sin no more."  His heart is to set us free and safely bring us home to share His glory.  The book of Revelation continues to be His Word to prepare us so we don't fail.  

What parent doesn’t prepare his child when a blizzard is coming and make sure he puts on his coat, hat, and mittens?  How much more does the Father want to prepare us for what will shortly happen and equip us with all we need to be safe from the storm.  This is exactly what the letter to the seven churches is about.

Number one, notice that the seven stars or churches belong to the Lord Jesus and He holds us in His hands.  Even though the specific churches are actual historical cities, the 7 suggests the complete church, and the descriptions represent the condition of the church today.  Jesus visited these churches to commend their faithful actions and expose the areas of weakness so they would not be destroyed in the days to come.  He is calling and making sure that His church (us) repents and prepares to be safe from the storm.  Just as Jesus told Peter “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you,” so the Lord knows the enemy’s plan and has already made provision for us to overcome.

If the shoe fits, wear it.  While it is always easier to see the faults of others than the “beam” in our own eye, the bottom line question is in which church does the Lord describe you so you repent?  When the light of the Holy Spirit exposes darkness it is so we reject the way of our fallen nature and let Him make it light (Ephesians 4:13). 

Let’s examine the seven churches.  In Ephesus they were doing good works but had lost their first love.  Need to repent and do the deeds they had done at first.  Smyrna was in the midst of persecution and Jesus lovingly encourages them to be faithful even to death.  Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and that we love not our lives even unto death.  The church in Pergamos was a compromising church that tolerated evil and, like Balaam, wanted the approval and money of the world rather than the holiness of obeying the Word of God.  In 1 John 2:15 the Holy Spirit warns that if you love the world, love of the Father is not in you.  Ouch!  Holy Spirit, help us desire Your approval and not seek the approval of men or money.

A significant part of the people of Thyatira listened to Jezebel and accepted her teachings of sexual immorality.  God honored those who stayed pure.  What is considered acceptable in the media or in popular entertainment such as homosexuality, adultery, gender changes, and various forms of nudity definitely does not align with God's standards of sexuality.  Sex is God's holy idea and causes death not life when not governed by His Word.  

The church in Sardis had a reputation of being alive but was really dead.  When we live by what others think is honorable we are on dangerous ground. God searches the heart and life only comes from accepting the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  At least in Philadelphia, the people were faithful even though they had little strength, but God was pleased with their perseverance. Faith and patience inherit the promises.  

Lastly we see the lukewarm Laodiceans who were content to be “part-time” Christians, who claimed they had enough of God, rather than realize how weak and needy they were.  This statement is true: we only have as much of God as hunger for and receive.  If we choose to be lukewarm, God vomits us from His mouth. Now is the time to seek Him for a fresh revelation in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus and let His love constrain your heart. 

These seven churches reflect the sins of today’s Christians. But rather than condemn us, these Words of life give us an opportunity to repent so we can be unshaken in the goodness and peace of God no matter what happens.  Holy Spirit, expose our hearts and help us acknowledge our sin, so we can receive His forgiveness and allow You to transform us into Jesus' holy bride, without spot or wrinkle.  God is not mocked and His plan will surely be accomplished.  Notice the promise in Ephesians 4 that He has provided ministries that will build up the body of Christ "to have unity of the faith and the knowledge of God, until we reach perfect manhood and the stature of Jesus Christ."

How is this going to happen?  God is at work "to will and to work for His pleasure."  He will pour out His Spirit, called the early and the latter rain, to enable His church to walk in the love and power of God. Psalm 110 states that in the day of His power, His people will offer themselves freely.  So get ready, let the Lord expose the wicked way and be quick to repent and forsake your sin.  Open your heart to be filled with the Spirit.  God has great things for you, and the faithful church, to do in the days ahead.  What a mighty God we serve and what great things are planned for His people!  

Many are Called, Few Chosen

“Many are called, few chosen.”

Who are chosen? What does it mean that only a few are chosen? Why does God only choose a few? How do I know if I am chosen? What is God saying to each of us in this statement? What can or needs to be done to be available to be chosen? Obviously, this succinct expression was designed to give life rather than cause anxiety or confusion. So it is necessary to ask for help: “Holy Spirit, open up this truth and help us receive it.”

It is always wise to go back to the context of these words. In Matthew 20 Jesus is talking about the master who goes looking for laborers and several different hours of the day. He hires those who are available. Finally near the end of the day he finds some whom no one has hired so he also sends them into the field. There is some jealousy among the early workers about the last ones being paid the same as the ones who worked all day. However, the master does pay the first workers exactly what both he and the workers had agreed, so it is up to him how much he wants to pay the last workers and he tells them so. Then the parable finishes with the words, “Many are called, few chosen.”

From the parable the master is looking for laborers and readily hires those who are in the marketplace ready to work. He doesn’t even make a distinction between those who show up at different times. It makes sense that God has called each of us to be a part of His body and that he has specific tasks for each of us to do (Ephesians 2:10) “which He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” However, the point of the story seems to be how do we get ourselves in a position to be “chosen.”
Most people spend the majority of their lives concerned about their job, their finances, their relationships, their pleasures, and many other facets of daily life. People get preoccupied with the busy-ness of life and take little thought of a higher purpose for their lives. Even Christians rarely consider whether we are preparing ourselves to be chosen. Who is God looking for?
According to the statement in Isaiah 66:2 “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word,” He is looking for those who humbly acknowledge their need, are genuinely repentant for their wrong choices, and who show respect for the authority of God’s word.
God is an awesome powerful God and yet He delights to show mercy and is looking for those who know and trust His merciful love. In Jeremiah 9:24 God delights in those who understand and know Him, as the one who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth. Furthermore, Psalm 147:11 declares “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”
God is faithful, and likewise puts high priority on faithfulness. In Jesus’ parable about the talents, He demonstrates that he who is faithful in little will be given much and enter into the joy of His father. Luke 12:42 reveals that God will bless the faithful one by making him ruler over all that He has.
Why would God choose you? A clear answer of His purpose is given in John 15:16, where Jesus assures each of us, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” The purpose is to glorify Him with a fruitful life that depends upon God’s continual answering of your prayers.

Finally in Colossians 3:12-17, the word summarizes how God desires the “chosen of God” to respond. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love…let the peace of God rule in your hearts…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord…and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”