Faith Cares More

Read This Week: Revelation 3

I know your deeds. See, I have placed an open door that no one can shut before you. You have little strength, but you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world to test the earth’s inhabitants. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. – Revelation 3:8-11, 13 NIV

So much is made and talked about regarding the Church at Laodicea in the Book of Revelation. The most often highlighted teaching in chapter 3 usually centers around this church and its foolishness and lack of desire to continue honoring God in its community. They had lost their vitality, commitment to godly values, vision for the gospel ministry, and adornment of righteousness. They were neither passionate about the mission nor apathetic. They were somewhere in the indifferent middle, where God never wanted us to be. He has a holy disdain for lukewarmness and makes the famous charge against the Laodicean believers in verses 15-16:

I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

But a faithful church in this chapter is often overlooked – the Church in Philadelphia. As we know, Philadelphia means “love among brothers.” The connotation of their name even suggests a positive understanding of what a Christian should be. We are to love people in our churches, within the family of God, and those far from the Lord. Other believers persecuted, shunned, and marginalized this church, yet Jesus said they kept His command to endure patiently. In other words, they were the opposite of Laodicea. Their affection and faithfulness ran hot for God even amid circumstances that should have led them to spiritual detachment. They cared more when they could’ve cared less.

Jesus rewards the faithful now and in eternity. For the people at Philadephia, He rewards them with opportunities and possibilities that no one can take from them (v.8). He promises to give them justice and deliver them from their enemies (v.9). Christ gloriously grants relief to their future by promising freedom from trouble at the hands of imminent threats and the chaos of the tribulation (v.10). Finally, Jesus promises to honor these believers by writing on them the name of God and the name of the city of God (v.12). He rewards their faith by giving them an elevated and glorious future in the shadow of their present struggles. He does the same thing for us.

The Lord is a warrior. He fights for us and honors those faithful to His name when quitting, consenting to the opposition, and becoming lethargic toward the call of Christ would be the easy and reasonable thing to do. His promises are reliable for those who remain confident in His word and steadfast in His truth. A faithful person and church are more impactful than a spiritually listless one. An unwavering person and church are unstoppable when an idle one is powerless. A determined person and church are successful, while a vacillating one is defeated. Let’s be like Philadelphia and not Laodecia because faith cares more.

7 Comments

  1. Trina on February 23, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    Revelation Chapter 3 verse 17
    For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

    Revelation Chapter 3 verse 18
    Therefore, I counsel you to purchase from me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see.

    God Is Saying To Me:
    As my child, I instruct you to open your eyes and ears to me and all of my riches. I beg you to open your heart and spirit to understand that your wealth and eternal salvation rely on living a disciplined life with me. Do not be fooled by the superficial and tangible treasures of the world because they are deceitful. Worldly pleasures are not satisfying and do not last but spiritual, riches and treasures transfer to
    a satisfying earthly and eternal life with me.

    What This Means To Me:
    Things of the world are temporary. I am not rich putting my energy into actions of the world because Jesus is not my focus. I can help further God’s kingdom by seeking spiritual wisdom and refining my spiritual walk with Him and live in a wealthy world. The more I seek spiritual guidance, wisdom, have an eager attitude, an obedient spirit, the closer I become to God. The closer I become to God spiritually, living in a blind and disobedient world becomes easier. Thank you God for refining me, correcting and prompting me so that my temporary efforts will be rewarded eternally.

    • Javaid Ahmed on February 23, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      Trina I love how you used the word “refining” and how living in this world becomes easier. Truly beautifully said. If we move our egos out of the way and allow God to fully guide us then He can refine our ways and help shape, mold, adjust, and improve us daily. Well said.

  2. Javaid Ahmed on February 23, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    This is a great chapter. God directed my attention to Revelation 3 Verse 8 (AMPC):

    8 I know your [record of] works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name.

    What He said to me about this is:

    “From years to decades to Millenia my message stays with you. It has not been erased or deemed unworthy by those of this world. Even those that claim to not know me still feel in their hearts that I am there. Even with the most vile that actively push against the love I hope to spread amongst you are silenced and will never be overbearing to you. Keep courageous and firm in the faith as I will always be there.”

    What this means to me is that God can never be silenced. Even from back to when Jesus walked this earth in physical form, God has continued to be in our lives and people know Him and experience Him. Think about how many fads or trends or religions or diets or cultures that have come and gone over the years while God remains always. Regardless of how we find Him – wether it’s through here or from scripture or even another religion that introduced us to Him so that we can truly get to know Him, as long as end up where we need to be that’s all that matters. The way we do that is to spend the time and effort getting to know God and TRULY listen to Him and live in action not just in words with Him.

  3. Heidi on February 25, 2023 at 8:28 am

    Revelation 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

    I see John Hanging out with Jesus, listening to him. and he cares, he is paying attention and listening to every word.
    We can hang out with Jesus too. We have ears to hear Him too. We can pay attention to every word too! If we want too!

    The word heed means to pay attention, take notice of,
    Consider, obey, and care
    Father God was saying to me.

    I love you and I care about everything. It’s important to listen, and have faith because when you have faith you will respond with trusting Me, when you trust Me you will obey, and you will respond in the way I want you to respond, when you do it’s good!

    What that means to me is it’s important to listen to Father God, He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us.
    We are the church, my faith is growing every day the more I respond to Father God it’s good
    He gives me opportunities to help others, I love to help others and it’s wonderful when they hear God and respond to His love and want to have a change of heart Too!

    Thank you Father God for Your love and patience.
    And Your always here to help us grow in Your ways!
    Thank you for giving us Jesus and John who are good examples to follow!
    Your the best Father ❤️ I love you

  4. Alma on February 25, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    This week I have a song in revelation 3

    Praise you
    We praise you we praise you. We are praising you our Lord we have your spirit within us, listening to your voice doing our deeds with you we want to serve you become closer, listening understanding knowing you are the truth the way you’re our strength, our counselor, the one who loves us gives us peace, joy, comfort All in the spirit of you Lord we praise you we praise you we praise you our Lord, amen

    His Spirit is so overwhelming he gives us wisdom through his words. He is so powerful he helps us to overcome so many obstacles. He is definitely on our side. Walking side by side with us.

  5. reachchurch on February 26, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    This Week in the Life: Revelation 3

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-0226-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-0226-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-0226-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  6. Kathy on March 28, 2023 at 8:21 pm

    This is what God gave me in Revelation 3. Be watchful and continue strengthening what you have. Hold fast to those things and repent. You can have better intimacy with Me, not because you have earned it, but because you are more interested in the things of Me. There is a Book of Life and it will be opened and referenced on the day of Judgement. This book determines if you go to heaven or hell. Knowing your name is written in the book, should bring you real joy. Sometimes I set an open door before you with an opportunity for you to evangelize,in front of you, but you don’t see it. Once you see this open door, you have to walk through it. Take every opportunity that I give you. I love to open doors for ministry. Because Jesus opens the door, He gets the glory for it. You need to express your allegiance to Jesus and live in a way that is faithful to His name and His character. Rely on Me. The best way to destroy the enemies of the Gospel is to pray that I will turn them into friends. It’s important for you to persevere before the hour of trial. Jesus is coming quickly and you must prepare for His coming. If you fail to hold fast, your crown may be given to another. The person most likely to steal your crown is yourself. You can not try to please the world and Jesus. You don’t want to be lukewarm. I want you to be hot with an on fire love for Him. Being lukewarm will turn you away from Jesus. If you really belong to Me, then serve Me with all your might. Change your inner self. Fight for your relationship with Jesus.

    What this said to me was I want my name to be written in the Book of Life. I don’t want to miss any opportunities that God gives me through an open door. I want to be a good and faithful servant. I don’t want to cause myself to lose my crown. I want to be on fire for Jesus.

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