August 2 Jesus Loves You

Revelation 3:3-6 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
 
IN verses 1-2 our Lord has rebuked the church in Sardis to wake up from their complacent response to false teachings. We can trust our Lord is good because he continually awakens us to our sins. Our Lord is also gracious. He gives to us the way to repent, so we may live in his blessed joy, love and truth now and forever. Jesus’ loving purpose here teaches the Sardis church five commands to enjoy God’s blessings.
    First is the admonition to, “Wake up!”  People who don’t “get it” need to wake up, don’t we? We may have said this to someone who was “asleep”. He refused to follow directions or to obey a request. To wake up is to open one’s senses to understand the truth. Awake, one is alert to correctly respond to what must be done.
    Second, Jesus urges the church to “strengthen what remains.” To renew and restore something that is broken or weak, we must often know the good things we already have. We can build on these. Jesus commands his church to recognize those who have not soiled their clothes – those who have remained true to Christ. They must be the pattern for rebuilding the church with true, uncompromised teaching. Otherwise, the church is about to die.
    Third, Jesus commands Sardis to “remember what you have received and heard.” To remember is not simply to recall. It is to faithfully cherish God’s gifts. The church has been given the Word of God, good leaders and some obedient followers. Cherished gifts must be used well.
    Fourth, then, we not only remember, we obey Jesus’ teachings. And fifth, we repent. We confess our sins and call on the Spirit to turn us spiritually in a new direction toward our Lord. Jesus commanded Sardis to turn from their complacent hearts to passionate, faithful disciples.
    Yes, Jesus loves his church – then, now and forevermore. His rebuke to Sardis is to raise up faithful disciples who will be with him in glory forever. You will eternally walk with Jesus. Your name will always be on the book of life.
    Thank God he confronts you with your sins. Rejoice he points the way to your salvation. Praise God he loves you so deeply.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your truth that sets me free into your eternal life. Amen.