Letter To Our Churches (VI)

               

LETTER TO OUR CHURCHES (VI)
Revelations 3:7-13

Our text above records Christ's message to the church in Philadelphia. The church in Philadelphia was virtually spotless. Christ gave commendations upon commendations for this church. Jesus affirms the church's positive actions; Revelations 3:8a - "I know your deeds..."

Jesus knew this church in and out. He was thrilled by the fact that they have little strength, yet they held on to Christ and His word; they refused to deny Him, Revelations 3:8; "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." In some ways, the Philadelphian church was incapacitated, they were weak; but in the face of trials, they remained faithful.

Unlike the church in Philadelphia, there are believers today who found out the limitations and restrictions in their own abilities and strength, they have seen this as a reason why they should just waste and abuse God's grace for holy and perfect living. They intentionally walllow in sin, then they start telling God that it was their weaknesses that pushed them into this. They gave the devil a potent weapon against their lives, the devil then starts to ensnare them with these weaknesses. But the church in Philadelphia depended on God's sustaining grace.

Jesus is not in search of men without weaknesses, but He wants men who will allow God's strength to be made perfect in their weaknesses, 2Corinthians 12:9. That is, He wants men who will willingly offer up their weaknesses and put on His own limitless strength. He doesn't want self-made strong men, He only wants men that will stand tall and say: "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me", Philippians 4:13.

Jesus is not after men that will proclaim self righteousness just because "...the righteousness of man is like filthy rag...", Isaiah 64:6; He simply wants men that would put Him on as their righteousness, Philippians 3:9.

Jesus is not calling the qualified, but He is ready to qualify the called. So believers, your weaknesses are not excuses!

Jesus passes another hint to us in His letter to the Philadelphian church. He told them of the great trial and tribulations yet to come, and He has promised to keep us from that hour.

One more thing, Christ does not want us to be carried away with the world and its lust; so He is telling us that; "Behold, I come quickly; hold on to that which you have, lest no man take your crown." Revelations 3:11.