Tuesday, 31^st October 2023

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: THE PATMOS LETTERS: AVOID WORLDLINESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” – Revelation 2:14

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Did you know that friendship with the world is hatred for God?

 

To experience salvation is to be delivered from the dominion of darkness and planted into the kingdom of Christ Jesus.

This implies a new identity and a new way of life or living. It is a radical transformation that requires us to turn away or separate from worldly things (Col 1:13) and worldly thinking to embrace the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, consistently submiting to the Scriptures (Rom 12:1-2). Unfortunately, there are many instances of a deliberate attempt by the Church and or Christians to embrace the world in order to fit in or be acceptable. This has led to many compromises that are very detrimental.

Jesus introduces Himself in the letter to the Church in Pergamum as “the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” 

He goes on to commend them for holding fast to His name, and for not denying His faith even though Satan’s throne dwells with them (Rev 2:12-13). The Christians in Pergamum obviously showed great resilience in matters of faith and confession, it must have been very tough for them to have the throne of Satan in the midst of that society. Unfortunately, Christ Jesus has a charge against them “…you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality (Rev 2:14).”

Some Christians from the community of believers in Pergamum, unfortunately, embraced the world and its pleasures.

They allowed Satan’s throne to exert a strong worldly influence on their lives. They found it acceptable to compromise on their sexual purity and to indulge themselves in food sacrificed to idols. They lived a doubled life. However, no one ever served two masters. Either you will love one and hate the other (Luke 16:13). Similarly, living a life that is partly for Christ and partly worldly is to be lukewarm.

Beloved, today provides a good opportunity for you to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith fully of partially.

Are you partaking of the table of the Lord and also the table of devils? (1 Cor 10:21). You have been born again to serve the living God therefore abstain from all uncleanliness and appearances of evil (1 Thes 5:22). And the very God of peace will sanctify you wholly, and your whole spirit and soul and body will be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus. God bless you.

 

FURTHER READING – Revelation 2:12-17

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How conscious are you in subjecting your decisions and actions to God and His Word to ensure there are no compromises?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to live an uncompromising life in a compromising world in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Chronicles 29; Daniel 9; Acts 9