I have been studying the seven churches the Lord Jesus spoke to in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Some of them were rebuked because they were simply going through the motions but their hearts were not đź’Ż.
The apostle Paul said, as converted believers, we have put off the old man with its deeds of anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lies; and have a new nature which is being renewed day by day as we grow and mature in Christ.
Matthew 12:33 (NKJV) Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
In the first chapter of Revelation the church is compared to golden lampstands. We are put in a dark world to light it up. Jesus said in Matthew 6:23, "If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness." If our nature is the same as the sinner, where is the distinction between light and dark?
2 Corinthians 13:5-7 (The Voice Translation) Examine yourselves. Check your faith! Are you really in the faith? Do you still not know that Jesus the Anointed is in you? - unless, of course, you have failed the test. Surely you will realize we have not failed the test, but we pray to God that you will stay away from evil. What's important is not whether we appear to have passed the test, but that you do what is right and act honorably, even if it appears that we have failed.
To the church at Ephesus in Revelation chapter 2, Jesus said that if they didn't repent and do the first works, He would remove their lampstand and they would cease to be an effective church.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove đź•Š