Remember and Repent

"I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it and repent" (Revelation 3:2-3a).

It's so easy to put on a show. Especially at church. Tell half-truths. Avoid issues. Change the subject. Talk about the world out there. Talk about how bad Israel was. Talk about how blind the disciples were. Speak in generalities about problems.

Others will think that you are alive, but it's so easy to fool them. The one you can't fool is Jesus. He knows your works. He knows what you're doing. He knows what you're thinking. He knows your motives. He knows everything about you all the time.

His command here to the church in Sardis is also for you. Remember and repent. It's not that you don't know what you should do. You've heard it and maybe even taught it. But you need to remember and keep it.

Do what you know you should do, not what you want to do.

Remember what God says about bitterness. Repent and get rid of it.

Remember what God says about gossiping. Repent and stop doing it.

Remember what God says about jealousy. Repent and control your thoughts.

You can fool others, but you can't fool Jesus.