The 7 Churches (Revelations 2 & 3)

Church in Ephesus: Loveless
“You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first.” (Rev 2:5a)

Church of Smyrna: Slandered by the Opposition
“I know the slander of those opposing you. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Remain faithful even when facing death.” (Rev 2:9b,10)

Church of Pergamum: Tripping Up Believers
“You tolerate some among you who are like Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel.” (Rev 2:14)

Church of Thyatira: False Prophets
“You are permitting that woman – that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet – to lead my servants astray.” (Rev 2:20)

Church of Sardis: Dead & Dying
“ . . . you have a reputation of being alive – but you are dead. Now wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is at the point of death.” (Rev 3:1b-2)

Church of Philadelphia: Persevering
“You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take away your crown.” (Rev. 3:8b)

Church of Laodicea: Indifferent
“ . . . that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.” (Rev 3:15, 19b)

The description of these 7 churches is a challenge to us, both as an individual and as part of the Body of Christ, to take an honest look at where we are in our love relationship with God.

Have we settled for being settled? Is our Christian life a routine of duties? Have we lost the reality of our love relationship with God? Have “church things” lost their effectiveness because we’ve lost our first love?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like anything lukewarm . . . especially not my coffee! I want my coffee fresh and hot!  So I ask myself, have I taken a lukewarm bath in my walk with God? Have I become a  “skin-deep Christian?” It’s easy to be lukewarm. All we have to do is nothing! Don’t read the Word. Don’t pray. Don’t use our faith. Don’t come to church.

As I allow God into my area(s) of lukewarmness . . . indifference . . . shallowness . . .  He will by His Holy Spirit blow the embers into bright flames of love!

But . . . the handle to the door to allow God in is on my side!