You are dead

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. – Revelation 3v1-2

The Sardis church had made a name for herself. She had quite a reputation. Everyone talked about how strong she was. She had a reputation for being alive and vibrant. It sounds something like certain aspects of the church, especially in the west, today. For the last 20-30 years the church in America and other parts of the west has had a good name for herself. She too has been alive and vibrant. She has hobnobbed with presidents and prime ministers.

All the while something has been happening on the inside. No matter how alive she has seemed, like the church at Sardis she too has been dying on the inside. The church has become so much like the world that it is hard to see how she is different.

The answer to the problem? Be watchful and strengthen the little that is left, those things that are about to die. The works of the church might seem great to the outside, but they are lacking before God.

It has seemed that the church truly thrives when she is not popular. Persecution and opposition make us truly strong and alive. We all fear that kind of opposition. It has been nice to be favoured by the world, but have we gained that while losing favour with God?