SCRIP-BITS

Revelation 3:1.    And unto the angel (messenger) of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Wednesday and the rain continues to fall. It’s been falling since Saturday. Thankfully though, these showers of blessings are not always mighty downpours, but they are steady. I don’t remember when last the sun actually peeped out from behind the clouds. But again, as believers, we need to believe that the Lord’s still in control and there’s a good reason in His overall plan for whatever is happening. So we’ll just have to grin and bear it in faith. And as Frances Hutcheson (1694-1746) the Scottish born professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow U, reputedly said: ‘Wisdon denotes the pursuing of the best ends by the best means.’ Now that’s certainly true my people! It means we have to choose the best life has to offer us right now. However, for believers, the best always comes from choosing God and His way. That’s why we have to listen to Him when He denounces the spiritual death of the Sardis Church, which is totally analogous to our current times. Perhaps a brief history of the city of Sardis might help our understanding of the situation. Per the scholars, Sardis was one of seven cities within the Roman province of Asia in Western Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Situated at the busy crossroads between several cities, it was also once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, and was renowned for its gold and wealth during the reign of Croesus. It successfully withstood the Greek invasion, but in the sixth century B.C. the Persian king, Cyrus, finally overran the city and it never regained its earlier prominence. By the time of Roman rule, it only possessed the name of its former greatness. During the rule of Tiberius Caesar (A.D. 17) it was destroyed by an earthquake, but then rebuilt by the Emperor. It seems that this indebtedness prompted emperor worship in Sardis, and most likely also prompted compromise by the church. Today, a small village named Sart, lies near the site. So Friends, judging from that brief history lesson, it’s easy to see why the church at Sardis was singled out thus: ‘I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art (but you are) dead.’ Interestingly too, the scholars claim that the name Sardis means ‘Escaping,’ something we all do so well today. So just as the city was living on its past glory, the church there was also living in the past. It was ‘now virtually dead in spirit and works, and representative of dead orthodoxy.’ Ah mih people, doesn’t that sound a lot like the churches and communities we have today? A lot of the churches and believers are living on past glory, resting on the laurels of yesteryear, not making any new, positive and godly memories for tomorrow. How sad! But fortunately for us today, there’s an antidote for the strong anti-God disease that threatens us. Obviously it comes from Jesus; the same one recommended to the Sardis church. ‘Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect (complete) before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief (robber), and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee.’ (Rev.3:2-3) Oh my brethren, our great God is the God of second chances. He’s given us an opportunity here to get out of the lazy doldrums and general apathy towards Almighty God that many of our churches and the world in general are currently undergoing. Please, for all our sakes, let’s be wise and accept it, because it’s the best means to the best ends. Otherwise we’re very liable to falter seriously like Sardis. Then the Lord will come suddenly, without warning, and we won’t be ready, will be found wanting. Now that’s certainly not a nice thought to contemplate! So let’s wake up and live for Christ nuh, the way we are meant to. That’s our only hope in this ungodly, and possibly God-forsaken world. Much LOVE!…He that hath an ear…let him hear…what the Spirit saith unto the churches.