“Just too much hassle!” that’s how we often feel isn’t it? Confronted by yet more information that confirms the world around us is broken by sin, we just don’t have the energy or inclination to deal with it. There always seems to be so much to deal with! As we saw last Sunday morning from the Lord Jesus’ letters to His churches in chapters 2 & 3 of the New Testament book of Revelation:
- On the one hand we may be praised for insisting on truth, only to find that we have become unloving.
- The Gospel of grace is wonderful news, but our sinful hearts may try to use it to excuse immorality.
- We’re desperate for ‘rest’ but can find ourselves believing heresy that seems to offer ‘freedom’ which is actually slavery to sin.
- We can find we’ve put all the pieces carefully together so that there’s every trapping of worldly success only to find that we’ve lost the Gospel itself!
From the church at Ephesus to the church at Sardis, the Revelation letters are a challenging read. Surely there’s an answer?
Always with the Bible we must see the text in context: these mixed church reports are recorded by John in between the breath-taking vision of the risen sovereign Lord Jesus in Chapter 1 and his gracious invitation:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 2:30)
We need to know and love and have fellowship with Him as our priority. This isn’t just rules, it’s a blood-bought redeemed relationship: He stands ready to be at home with us. Open the door of your heart and welcome Him in!
Spencer Shaw