In Revelation 2-3, Jesus wrote letters to
seven churches in different cities. These letters (recorded by the apostle John)
were to be delivered to those churches so they could make corrections. It made
we wonder—what would He write to today’s
churches? What would He say in a letter to me? Here are some facts about
those letters:
1. Each
church had an opinion about itself that was inaccurate. “Groupthink” is conformity
of thinking within a group and doesn’t allow differing points of
view. Laodicea thought they were wealthy and had no needs. Jesus corrected
them, “You don’t know that you are wretched, miserable, poor,
blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17).
2. Jesus
praised them for what they were doing right. He told the church
at Ephesus, “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you
cannot tolerate evil…and have not grown weary” (Rev. 2:2-3).
3. Jesus
rebuked them for what they were doing wrong. He also told
Ephesus, “But I have this against you, you have abandoned the love you had at
first” (Rev. 2:4)
4. Jesus
told them how to make corrections. “Remember how far you have fallen, repent,
and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5).
IF
JESUS WROTE CHURCHES TODAY He might say this (proceed with caution!)
To the Liberal
church: “I
know your compassion for all broken and rejected people, and will accept them
into your church. But I have this against you—you have ignored My Word about the
need for repentance and you will not allow Me to change their hearts.”
To the Traditional
church: “I
know that you do not compromise My Word, that you are teaching it to all age groups in
your Sunday School classes, and you support missions. But I have this against
you—you hold on to man-made traditions, which prevents Me from making changes
that you desperately need.”
To the Contemporary
church: “I
know that have changed the atmosphere to make your church more inviting to the
younger generation. You’ve updated your music, made your sanctuaries more
comfortable, and even serve donuts and coffee. But I have this against you—entertaining
the congregation has become more important than worshipping Me. Your music
production and movie clips have become idols. Your congregation is spiritually
shallow and you are not making disciples.”
IF
JESUS WROTE A LETTER TO YOU: “I know that you call yourself My follower
and attend church every week. But I have this against you—social media is more
important to you than reading my Word. You're more interested in being popular
than pleasing Me.”
Okay, I’ll admit that I’m just speculating
about what He might say. Your church might be perfect. Or it might need a
letter written to it. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
