Chapter Five 

The Church of Sardis is depicted as having two types of attendees. Some live in sin and are required to repent. Their actions are displeasing to Christ. They are spiritually dead. He plainly says I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you[1]; a warning statement of the coming Rapture. The second group are faithful Christians found without spot or wrinkle. They are reserved Holy unto the Lord.

 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Acts 3:19, NIV

 

The church has many members. Some are ready to perish. Although the Sunday morning Christian enters the church with excitement in their step, their heart is feeble for Christ. Many Sunday morning Christians began as faithful members of the Body of Christ but have forgotten what they heard. They were once sinners who, by faith, accepted the work of Christ, were repentant in heart, and were filled with the Holy Spirit of God. It was a powerful time for the life of the new Christian; over time, that commitment softened. Christianity requires a renewal of the Spirit through a relationship with God. Without experiencing renewal through prayer and studying God’s Word, Christians stop producing fruit in line with repentance.

 

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent

Revelation 3:3, NKJV

 

Christians forget the path they took in developing their authentic relationship with Christ, and pursuing new paths often leads them astray. God calls the Sunday morning Christians and those who were once in a relationship with Him to remember how they received and heard the gospel message. They are called to repent and hold fast to that which gave them hope. Remembering where our salvation comes from and remembering our beginnings in Christ are things Christians should do.

 

[1] Revelation 3:3, NKJV