묵상질문

내게 주는 교훈

To the Church in Sardis and in Philadelphia
To the dead church in Sardis, the Lord gives the severe warning to awaken by the power of the Holy Spirit. To the blameless church in Philadelphia, the Lord gives the promise of a glorious future.

Who is Jesus like?
Vv. 7-9 The Lord opened the door of the kingdom of God to the church in Philadelphia, which is not big in size and influence but has not forsaken the gospel and the name of the Lord. Even though the world rejects and excludes the weak to follow power and fame, God provides a reward to His faithful children before the eyes of their enemies (Ps 23:5) to make His love known.
Vv. 10-12 God will also ‘keep’ the believers who ‘keep’ the word of perseverance from judgment at the Final Judgment. He will place a crown on the heads of those who look small and are shamed and excluded from society, and will accept them as the pillar worthy to be present in the temple of God. He will also confirm those who do not betray the name of Jesus as ‘His own’ to engrave the name of God and Jesus (7:1-8; 14:1).

What lesson is God teaching me?
V. 1 The church in Sardis was well-known, but in reality it was nearly dead. It had many deeds, but no perfect one acceptable to the Lord. The purpose of its active, gorgeous appearance may be to hide its inner corruption and decomposition. The church needs to heed the warning and restore spiritual fellowship by relying on the Holy Spirit. Examine us against the appearance of the church in Sardis, which though proud of its size and activity is dying in spirit.

기도

Let me not replace the glory to be accepted as God’s own with the glory to be chosen in this world.