You got MAIL

Revelation 2:1-7

How times have changed, when I was young a mailman delivered mail to the front door, we knew him, but today my mail is delivered to a box at the end of our road and it requires a key and it is extraordinary to find anything of substance in that box.  What if today I got a letter in my box that was written to me from Jesus, and in that letter it said Bob, your doing Ok in some areas of life, but I have this against you, and Jesus goes on to tell me I’ve abandoned my love for Him.  He tells me to go back and recall how I longed to talk with Him, and that I was faithful to seek Him and find pleasure in His instruction, but that I have let the pressures of this world make me follow rules, but the love for people and God have grown cold in my heart.  That letter would be similar to the letter Jesus wrote to the church in Ephesus.

Many believe that the seven churches Jesus is writing to are examples of churches throughout the time of the church on this earth.  Have you been part of a backslidden church, one that is persistent in service, strong in discipline, but does not show love to the community, does not seem to love Jesus enough to obey His teaching; it is more like empty words and little or no action outside of the local body.  Jesus has this to say to that church, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” 

It is my belief that many lampstands have been removed, because the church was too full of it’s history, or traditions, those long-established customs or beliefs that have been handed down from generation to generation, and over time they have became more important than doing the will of God. 

Many questions fill my mind as I read this; do I care about the things Jesus cares about, do I look forward to spending time in His word, am I a member of a church that cares about the things Jesus cares about, does it act out of love or just rules and traditions?  Is my church a kingdom minded church, does it hate the things that God hates, and last but of utmost importance, does it love people, all people, no matter color, race or religion?  I must report that I am blessed to be part of Oakwood in New Braunfels and it passes the test, it is a kingdom minded church; it loves the things God loves.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice