“I know your record and what you are doing;

You are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead.”

–Jesus to the church at Sardis, Rev 3:1b AMP.

 

 

Well, that doesn’t seem to be very loving….

 

Or does it?  Who are we sympathizing with?  The walking dead or those who are truly alive?  And what about the walking dead….is there hope?

 

First of all, Jesus is the God of second chances.  Yes, there is hope.  But let’s take a close look at ourselves, our friends, and our church and see if Jesus could say these same words to us today.

 

While the church is supposed to be alive, seems to be doing the work of the living, and has been known as the living “body” of Christ who is Himself the “way, the truth and the life,” (Jn 14:6) the scripture says that this particular church is dead.  It is a church in name only, and is therefore posing as a church of life.  But Jesus is not tricked: “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead,” (ESV).

 

What are the marks of a church that is alive?  What does the real body of Christ look like?

 

Christians are to be:

 

• Crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20)
• Dead to the world with Jesus (Rom 6:3-4)
• Putting away the old life (which is no life) (2 Cor 5:17)
• Living for Christ (Phil 1:21; Rom 6:4-5; Col 3:1-2; 1 Cor 15:22)

 

Many groups of people start out right, but don’t finish well.  They have a great start, but end up becoming something less than their original, inspired vision.  They end up having a form of godliness, but without the power (2 Tim 3:5).   They substitute church programs for spiritual activity.  They appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones (Mat 23:27).   They substitute the making of disciples with the making of church members.

 

Hey, it happens to a lot of us.  We tend to get in a groove and lose our focus.  We walk away from seeing who we really are and end up thinking we are someone else (Jas 1:23).  Religion feels like an acceptable substitute for a real, spiritual relationship with Jesus, but that’s a lie from the enemy.

 

What do we do when we realize the zombie is us?

 

If we continue to read the rest of Revelation 3, we will see that Jesus calls the church to repent (change our minds about your sin (and that includes not doing what you know you should be doing), to turn from our wickedness, and to walk with Jesus in truth). We also need to remember the Biblical truth that we have been taught, and keep that truth.  We need to avoid dirtying our garments by sliding backwards into sin.  We need REVIVAL!

 

Let me encourage you: Walk with Jesus.  He will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5).

 

Pastor Brian Cox