Discipline Equals Love....

In the first 3 chapters of Revelation we read of the Angel talking to each of the 7 churches in Asia Minor. Each church is addressed by what it does well and is called out to continue to persevere in the faith, and/or stop and repent of its shortcomings. Here are the shortcomings of these churches. 1. Losing their first love for Jesus 2. Tolerance of false teaching 3. Tolerance of and Eating food offered to idols 4. Tolerance of and practicing Sexual sin 5. Allowing their faith to almost die 6. Indifference- being “luke warm” How many of these do we struggle with? Jesus clearly states that we must repent of these or else we may be severely disciplined. For He disciplines those He truly loves. We need to take an inventory of our shortcomings and start (with God’s help) to regain that fire that once propelled us forward in our spiritual journey. We must start with #1 and dry our wet wood.

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love Me or each other as you did at first!5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. Revelation 2:4-6

14 “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. Revelation 2:14

20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman–that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet–to lead My servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. Revelation 2:20

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive–but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of My God.3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to Me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. Revelation 3:1c-3

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth! Revelation 3:15-16

19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:19