Revelation 2 -- A Standard Of Speaking The Truth In Love

As I began to read God’s words to these churches, my commentary reminded me:  “It is individuals who determine the spiritual life of the assembly.  So, while reading these messages, we must apply them personally as we examine our own hearts.”

It called Ephesus the Careless Church, and said of it, “Some churches need to be cautioned to worship the Lord and not their pastor … What we do for the Lord is important, but so is why we do it … The church that loses its love will soon lose its light, no matter how doctrinally sound it may be.”

My commentary found no words of accusation for the church at Smyrna, but God did tell them, “Don’t be afraid!”  “Their time of tribulation would not be long.  The important things faithfulness, standing true to Christ no matter what …”

The church at Pergamos was seen as compromising.  “A group of compromising people had infiltrated the church fellowship … This group of professed believers lorded it over the people and led them astray … The church as Pergamos would feel the Sword of Christ – the Word – if they did not repent.  This is not a reference to our Lord’s return but to a present judgment that comes to a church when it is disobedient to the Word of God.”

Thyatira was called a Corrupted Church in my commentary.  “No amount of loving and sacrificial works can compensate for tolerance of evil … how to compromise with the Roman religion and the practices of the guild, so that Christians would not lose their jobs or their lives,” was what concerned them the most.

Some words in the summary really stuck out:  “The Ephesian church was weakening in love, yet faithful to judge false teachers; while at Thyatira, they were growing in their love, but too tolerant of false doctrine.  Both extremes must be avoided in the church.  ‘Speaking the truth in love’ is the biblical balance.  Unloving orthodoxy and loving compromise are both hateful to God … Like Ephesus, we can be zealous and orthodox, but at the same time lose our devotion to Christ … It is not only lost sinners who need to repent, but also disobedient Christians.”

Father, please examine my heart and the hearts of all of us in our church.  Look into our hearts and show us what You see.  Help us to be about what You say is important.  Help us to be devoted to Christ and loving to those You are working to reach through us.

Your Brother In Christ,