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Many see the Book of Revelation as terrifying. However, it is one more example of how the Lord reveals what is to come. In chapter 2, Jesus offered encouragement and warnings to believers. Such as in Revelation 2:24-25 - Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her (Jezebel) teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, /except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
His audience was those who had not been seduced into spiritual adultery by the teachings of a Jezebel-like leader. The instruction raises the question of what it was that they had. In Revelation 2:19, He highlighted the things they did all because they believed in and obeyed Him - I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Notice, He pointed to the way they lived their lives.
This convinced me to take my spiritual walk more seriously. I knew I needed to pay more attention to how my deeds reflected Him. Did my life illustrate His love and faith in the Father, or was it the opposite? Was I living a life of godly service and being a kingdom ambassador so that believers and unbelievers drew closer to God? Was I allowing the testing of my faith to produce perseverance, and how was I enduring under the weight (James 1:3)?
There was, and remains, plenty of room to improve. The toughest question, however, was whether I was doing more than I did when I gave my life (back) to Jesus. The hours spent studying the Bible, listening to sermons, praying, fasting, and in worship. I realized that while I do more than what I did when I received salvation, my zeal was not always where it needed to be on certain things. I knew that could be problematic and potentially lead to an Esau curse.
If you are wondering how Esau factors into this, let me paint the picture. Esau was the older of Isaac's twin sons and was to inherit a double portion of his father's estate. However, while hungry one day, he'd spoken idle words, saying, "What good is the birthright to me?" and he swore his inheritance over to Jacob, his brother. The Bible says he "despised his inheritance" (Genesis 25:32-34). All because of some lentil soup and the lack of wisdom.
Their mother encouraged Jacob to deceive their blind father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau. Despite all this, God hated Esau, not Jacob (Malachi 1:2-3). While there may be many explanations for this, I've always understood God's reaction as stemming from Esau devaluing the gift that was his birthright. The way He spoke of and treated his inheritance was disrespectful to his father and the sweat that brought it about. He, therefore, did not hold on to what he had. Many have the same attitude, but toward Jesus, and I believe that this can create serious problems with God.
I had to ask if I, as a born-again Christian, was irresponsible with what I had freely received through Jesus? Was I taking God's grace, mercy, and love for granted by failing to remember what Jesus saved me from? And was I also failing to prioritize the other factors Jesus spoke of to the remnant in Thyatira? Was I holding on to what I already had by remembering Him and honoring His sacrifice through the way I lived?
Do these questions apply to you as well? Do you still enjoy the joy of the Lord's salvation as you once did? If so, then studying His word would be something you strive to do. Has the value you attach to the things of God diminished? If so, you'll struggle to live a life that reflects godly deeds, love, and faith. It will also feel cumbersome to serve in a manner that pleases the Lord, to be patient enough to persevere till the promise, and to have the zeal to do more, not less, than you did at first.
I'm still praying for grace to improve, knowing only God's help can make a difference. I also had to pray that He'd show me who to serve, how best to do so, and that He'd grant the capacity to do everything as He desires. This means being intentional to listen and be led to those He wants me to interact with. I'm far from perfect, but the Lord keeps guiding me forward, and Jesus never stops advocating. I keep going because I don't want to take salvation for granted and possibly miss the pathway to heaven available to me.
God is asking you to let Him do the same with you. He wants to give you a new heart and mind that prioritizes His concerns (Matthew 6:33). Troubles will come, but He will guide you past them victoriously. Be still and let Him be God (Psalm 46:10). To do this, you need a closer relationship with Him and must put in the work to maintain that relationship so it bears fruit for His glory. Jesus is coming back soon, and on that day, we must be holding on to what we freely received because of the uneven exchange at the cross. Ask Him for help so you don't squander His gift the way Esau despised his birthright. God bless you.
As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:
When Naaman went looking for healing in Israel, he was initially disappointed. He'd come all the way from Aram (in modern-day Syria) because he'd heard that Prophet Elisha could do what the mystics and doctors in his land couldn't - heal his leprosy.
Instead of meeting Elisha, he was met by the prophet's servant, who told him to dip himself in the River Jordan seven times. Naaman did not take kindly to receiving instructions from a messenger. 2 Kings 5:11 - But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
Pride kicked in and he "went off in a rage" (2 Kings 5:12). Naaman's servants appealed to his ego to get him to obey the prophet's instruction. As a result, "his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14). Imagine that. His pride and preconceived notions could have gotten in the way of the miracle God wants for you.
By now, we understand why we have to reject pride as believers in Christ. Pride was the original sin, and it led to satan and many angels being kicked out of heaven. Countless examples from the Bible and our lifetime illustrate the negative consequences of being arrogant.
However, many of us fail to realize that our preconceived expectations can limit how we experience God. It is easy to think things should go the way we imagine or the way we've seen similar situations play out. Naaman came from a land where occult practices were normal. The 'priests' in his nation performed like magicians, and he was looking to Elisha and his God to 'perform' in a similar fashion.
What the war commander didn't realize was that he was going to encounter the one true God who never needs to perform parlor tricks to prove His might. Since his expectations weren't initially met and his ego went unfed by Elisha, he wanted to walk away from what eventually transformed his life. And it truly did change his life. So much so, he became a believer in the God Elisha served.
He, like many of us, didn't realize that with God, it is crucial to expect the unexpected. Sadly, many Christians often forget that God's thoughts and ways are higher and thus better than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We ignore the fact that if we expect and demand that God only do things in a way that's comfortable to us, we are likely to miss the very miracles we're desperate for.
This attitude is partly why so many, like the Gadarenes, rejected Jesus. He spoke and did things differently from what they'd become used to and couldn't see past their set ideas to realize that God was doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19).
So, ask yourself, would you have reacted the way Naaman did if you were in his shoes? Or have you already done something similar? Have you ignored an instruction God gave because it was uncomfortable, didn't make sense, or you couldn't see how it would get you to your goal? If you believe in God, you have to trust in Him wholeheartedly. The wonderful thing is He has given you faith, it is time to apply it, knowing He will take care of you and give more.
That often requires you to set education and logic aside (Proverbs 3:5). Instead, you have to lean on the Jericho Moments - the times He did the impossible - and remember that His plans for you are good, and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). This is God's desire for all who believe in Him and call Him their Father.
Every preconceived notion has to go, so they don't get in the way of the great things God has in store. He is faithful and can be trusted to bring you to the good and expected end He has for you. Have faith!
As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages: