Hey! John! Write a letter for Me? To that lot in Sardis. Tell them I’ve been keeping an eye on them, I know what they’re up to. It’s all show. They look just like a bunch of committed and enthusiastic Christians but they’re actually nothing of the sort. Dead. Nearly all of them. Just a few who are really Mine. Tell them to repent and turn to Me before I come back unexpectedly and blot them out of the book of life.
So what’s a dead Christian then? How could you pretend to be one but not be really?
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Someone, perhaps, who is on all the rotas, always willing to do their bit and more besides – but who never actually takes time out to talk to God?
I do all that. And I talk to God. I pray every day.
Worshipping and praising and repenting?
Yes, of course. Not that I do anything to repent of.
Well, let’s start with pride and foolishness then.
Oh. Well, okay. I know all about the prayers of the Pharisee and the publican. But I really don’t …
Try greed. How good are you at sharing?
I’m okay there. I share everything I have except my toothbrush. Car, clothes, money, food … only have to ask.
What about the gospel message of salvation?
Oh, well, can’t keep pushing stuff under people’s noses, pearls before swine you know …
Who exactly are you adjudging as swine? Let’s move on to idolatry.
How dare you! I’ll have you know I’m …
That’s loving something else more than God.
Well I don’t!
You love your garden. How much time do you spend on that compared to God?
You’re closer to God in a garden, you know …
God is always close to us. Remember Jonah’s mistake? Is it weeds and planting and pruning on your mind – or worship, praise and repentance?
There you go again about repentance.
How greedily do you stuff yourself when you’re hungry?
I – do – not – do - that! I eat moderately and with restraint, never grabbing, and maintain a flow of smalltalk between mouthfuls – which is never full, by the way.
Thought so. But I was talking about the hunger and thirsting after righteousness.
I read my Bible every single day.
Is that because you have a dutiful sense that it’s the right thing to do, or are you hungry for God’s advice and help so you can repent?
I keep telling you I have nothing to repent of!
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Pride, arrogance, foolishness, idolatry, greed … John has written us all a letter from Jesus. It is in Revelation chapter 3 verses 1-6. Suppose He did come back unexpectedly and you realise that you weren’t quite as alive as you thought?
By Hilary