Dear ones in Christ,
God wants man to leave the sin and repent and come to Him. Jesus Christ preached, “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand”. Jesus told, there is be a great joy in heaven because of one sinner who repents. Even today, God is calling the believers to repent and come to Him. – ((Apostle John says in The Book of Revelation about the churches like Smyrna and Philadelphia in Asia Minor who had a close walk with God)) Even today in the churches there are lot of disorders, sin and many are proposing themselves to be holy, but denying the power of God.
We should examine and see, in which matters we should repent. In Amos 4:6, we read, “And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the Lord”. In the book of Revelation, he writes about the shortcomings found in the churches.
1. Ephesus Church believers to repent:
In Revelation 2:4,5 we read, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent”.
Even though there were 8 good characters, they had one shortcoming. That was enough for the candlestick to be removed. Their spiritual life was in a dangerous condition. Many people like they have lost their first love in their lost spiritual life. Still, they comfort themselves with the worldly blessings they have. Still, in the sight of God we have fallen short. We should not comfort ourselves or deceive ourselves. So God is warning us to repent.
1) Good Works 2) labour 3) patience 4) cannot bear the evil people 5) discerning the liars 6) bearing the sufferings 7) patience in sufferings 8) laboring for the sake of God’s name without faint. Even after having all these good characters, the love of God might be missing. We can live without loving God.
They will love the church or the ministry. But they will love God and accept his commandments. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have no charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have no charity, it profiteth me nothing”.
At the coming of Jesus, love and faith will decrease. We should read the Bible, pray and do share the Gospel always. When these things decrease, it is a sign that our love for God has decreased.
2. Pergamos Church believers to repent:
In Revelation 2:14 we read, “But I have few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So thou hast also them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans which thing I hate.” Nicolaitans church people do not know anything. The anointed priest only should do all the things. God is telling them to repent from the lust of money. They tell that they slaves to the pastor. If we have such shortcomings in us, we should repent.
3. Thyatira Church believers to repent:
In Revelation 2:20 we read, “Notwithstanding I have few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols”. We should give place for false doctrine just like Thyatira church. We should not please men. If we please men, then we are not servants of God. we should live a life pleasing God.
4. Sardis Church believers to repent:
In Revelation 3:1,2,3, we read, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief …” God will blot out the name of the one who does not repent. If we do not prepare our lives, our names will be blotted out.
5. Laodicea Church believers to repent:
In Revelation 3:14-19, we read, this is the church of the last days. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot… because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have no need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, repent now”
There are two types of faith. One is, confessing and receiving, love which says, we will receive if God gives. This is like the bread which is not turned over. We need faith tested by fire. Just like Job, we should stand firm even when trials comes to test our faith. Wretched life is a life of lost. Telling themselves rich is a miserable life. Laodicea church people were very keen in receiving the worldly blessings, and they were spiritually poor, blind, they did not have the burden or vision for souls, walking in self righteousness, worldly people, there was no growth in their spiritual life. This was the condition of the Laodicea church.
My dear friends! This is the God’s warning. The immediate need of today’s church is, faith tested by fire, we should have faith even if we get killed. We should have faith like, even if God does not deliver me, I will trust Him. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed on seeing the faith of those who came out of fiery furnace and glorified God. Moreover we should wear clothes like saints. We should receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit and life as spiritual people. Amen!
