Revelation 2:18-29
Sexual sin and idol worship at the heart of these is a man or woman that is blinded by self-centered motivation and the tie to their addiction is not easily broken. The church, which is the body of Christ, cannot and will not tolerate these things going on in its midst. Love people enough to teach them what is right in the eyes of God but do not become entrapped in the same thing that binds them, the same things that have separated them from God’s presence. We are called to bring the good news to all people but the message can no longer be heard if we wrap ourselves in the same garments the world wears and the differences between us become less and less. It is not our own abilities that attract others to the One who lives within us but God’s light shining in the darkness that draws all tribes, races, and ethnic groups to see what makes us different. God is not unjust for He gives us time to choose right or wrong and He provides His light to lead us and His Holy Spirit to direct us but in the end we decide to listen or not. Those who love Him obey, simply put but those who love themselves more do what makes them feel good.
I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. "Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
(Rev 2:21-23 NLT)
Does this sound like the God you know? The problem is we grow up understanding God is love and God is patient but less so that God is holy and righteous. We cannot pick and choose what we want God to be, either you love Him or you don’t and if you love Him then you will do what He says is right. There will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and it will not be the day of our choosing but more like the day of the rich man who tore down his barns to build bigger ones as he depended up on himself more so than God and that very night he was called to give an account for all that he did. Yes, Jesus is coming again and He will come like a thief in the night. So do not spend time or resources pursuing things that please the flesh, instead draw close to God, learn of His ways, and ask for strength and courage to follow where He leads and when you go through a trial understand you have a loving Father in Heaven that is working off the rough edges left by this world. It can hurt no doubt and until you understand what is taking place you may even blame God of being unfair but His love for you goes deeper than that, even beyond our own understanding. Through it all hold on to Jesus through daily relationship with Him, ask for understanding and He will lead you. Read the Bible to better understand the character of God so that you can see Him moving in your life, through the good and even the bad. No matter what don’t let go because soon this life will be over and you will trade the temporary for the eternal. Yes you can know and have the blessed assurance you’ve heard the saints of old talk about but only through knowing Jesus Christ. It’s not what you do but what motivates you to do it, it’s not who sees what you’ve done but who is watching when no one is around, it’s not what you’ve done in Jesus’ name but what is born out of relationship with Him.
On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'
(Mat 7:22-23 NLT)
