The Vatican just released a report on a United States Cardinal who disgraced himself and the Church with his sinful behavior. What is shocking is that he was able to hide the truth and continue to win favor even with Popes. Apparently he was an effective fund raiser, a skilled administrator, and a smooth-talking politician. Though he received “A’s” in the eyes of the Pope, he failed miserably in the eyes of God.
Today we read about two churches that seemed to be carrying “A” grades—in the eyes of people. When God delivered his report on them through angels, however, we find that they were doing so poorly that God was ready to eradicate them (Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22).
“To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this…’ I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead…I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it and repent.’”
On the outside this Church was impressive. “In the sight of God,” however, they were dead! Is there a worse indictment? No matter what grade society gave the Church of Sardis, in God’s “grade book” they were a failure. In his mercy, God gave them a final chance to repent.
The angel added a footnote:
“However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.”
A few! Was this five or ten people? This handful of people, in spite of the behavior of the rest of the Church, continued heroically to remain faithful to the call of their baptism and kept themselves “dressed in white.”
Then angel of the Church of Laodicea presented God’s report on them.
“I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything, and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’”
This Church was rich in material goods. They were not involved in sin—cold—and on the other hand they were not on fire for God either—hot. They were walking a comfortable middle ground. God is sickened by the lukewarm; he spits it from his mouth, which is what he is about to do with this Church. An on-fire Church makes a difference in the world; a cold Church knows it needs to repent. The lukewarm church deceives itself, and is a useless to God.
What advice does the angel give to this wretched, poor, blind, and naked Church?
“I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.
God offers his grace freely to those who repent.
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.”
What prompted these candid reports from heaven? God’s love. He reproves and chastises because he wants souls to be saved.
How do I stand right now in God’s “grade book?” The reputation I have with others and my own self-evaluation may be misleading. How is God calling me to repent today?
God give me courage to accept your truth.
“Whoever has ears out to hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).
