When do we take a stand?
Opening Prayer
Lord of creation, You sit enthroned and You alone are worthy of all honor and praise.
Read REVELATION 2:12–17
[12] “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. [13] I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives. [14] Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. [15] Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [16] Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the church commended for and corrected for?Jesus directs us to be “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). He means us to be immersed in this world and not—as a rule—cut off from human contact. This is bound to make “doing church” more challenging, for us as much as for the good folks of Pergamum. John’s letter raises issues which are likely to confront many of us in the course of a Christian life. A dynamic church must aim to be both true to the gospel and open to all. We will therefore need to make judgments about when to be tolerant and when to make a stand. Here at Pergamum it seems that the church was allowing in their midst individuals both with different standards and with dubious teaching. (What “the teaching of the Nicolaitans” might be is unclear, but, whatever it was, it was not OK.) The teaching here is the one we can find all through the Scriptures. It is not acceptable to allow people to influence our churches that encourage behavior and spread ideas at variance with truths made quite plain in God’s Word.
Apply
As you seek God’s heart, boldly stand when directed to do so, even when it requires you to pay a cost.
Closing prayer
Jesus, give me vision for what truly matters and make me an influence for good. Thank You.
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