What the Bible says about Sardis Attitude
(From Forerunner Commentary)

2 Peter 1:10 Each passing day reinforces the fact that we live in dangerous times. Surely, the return of Jesus Christ cannot be many years away! When we consider this along with the greatness of our God-given opportunity, we should be urgently motivated to ensure our calling and election. The very magnitude of the issues involved emphasizes that we must do something now because of who we are—the called—and each person receives only one calling to salvation. Taking action secures two things. First, it ensures we will not stumble from neglect, forgetfulness, or laziness (verse 9). We live in the age of Laodiceanism. One can easily become lured into and then entrapped in this destructive attitude that produces spiritual blindness. Second, it ensures that a way will be opened to us into God's Kingdom (verse 11). In the letter to the Sardis church, Jesus clarifies who will be in God's Kingdom: You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:4-5) Our part in salvation is small compared to God's, but vital. Those who are worthy and those who are clothed in white are the same: They are the ones who overcome! It is that simple. John W. Ritenbaugh The Elements of Motivation (Part Five): Who We Are Related Topics: Action, Taking | Calling | Calling, Making Sure of | Diligence | Laodicea, Church of | Laodicean Attitude | Laodiceanism | Motivation | Motivation to Fear God | Neglect | Overcoming | Overcoming, Mankind's Participation in | Return of Jesus Christ | Sardis Attitude | Sardis, Church of | Taking Action | Vigilance | White Garments

Revelation 2:7 The sense is that these messages for each church—for all Christians. This means that the attitudes and conduct described dominate the group accused or complimented by Christ, but they also exist in the other groups as well. Otherwise, the advice to whoever hears would not apply. In other words, the Ephesian attitude might also be in Smyrna, Pergamos, Laodicea, Philadelphia, etc., but it dominated the church in Ephesus. The attitude that dominated in Smyrna would also describe, though with less accuracy, one or more of the other groups. The same would be true of Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. All the messages apply to all of the churches. All the messages apply to each of us as individuals, and it is a matter of "if the shoes fits, wear it." That is God's approach here. We are to live by every word of God. It is only under this principle that we can apply these messages. John W. Ritenbaugh What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four) Related Topics: Church, Attitudes of | Church, Personalities of | Churches of Revelation 2-3 | End-Time Church | Ephesian Attitude | Ephesian Church | Ephesians | Ephesus | Laodicea | Laodicea, Church of | Pergamos Attitude | Pergamos, Church of | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Church of | Philadelphian Attitude | Revelation, Seven Churches of | Sardis Attitude | Sardis, Church of | Seven Churches of Revelation | Smyrna Attitude | Smyrna, Church of | Thyatira | Thyatira Attitude | Thyatira, Church of

Revelation 3:3 If they were all going to die before He came, the last sentence would make no sense. They will be alive when He comes, because otherwise the threat carries no weight. John W. Ritenbaugh What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four) Related Topics: Church Eras | Churches of Revelation 2-3 | Revelation, Seven Churches of | Sardis Attitude | Sardis, Church of | Seven Churches of Revelation | Work Of God

Revelation 3:3 A characteristic of the dead, physically or spiritually, is that they are unaware. Perhaps those of Sardis are not aware of what is really happening in the church and world. Maybe they think Christ "is delaying His coming" and have relaxed spiritually. Whatever the reason, they are standing still and not growing, slowly losing what life they had. In this sad spiritual state, end-time events could catch them by surprise like a thief in the night. Staff The Seven Churches (Part Seven): Sardis Related Topics: Revelation, Seven Churches of | Sardis Attitude | Sardis, Church of | Seven Churches of Revelation | Spiritual Lethargy | Spiritually Comatose | Thief in the Night

Revelation 3:4 A few names in Sardis are still alive spiritually. One might judge himself of another group entirely if he judges himself alive, but God says some are living among the dead. Is any true Christian really willing to call himself dead? We all judge ourselves as part of any group but Sardis! Yet God says Sardis exists, maybe not "alive and well," but it exists nonetheless. We all need to examine ourselves. Would God judge our works as lively, our faith as living? Are we slowly losing what we originally received and heard? Staff The Seven Churches (Part Seven): Sardis Related Topics: Drifting Spiritually | Faith, Lack of | Living Faith | Sardis Attitude | Sardis, Church of | Self Examination | Seven Churches of Revelation

 

		The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. See what over 155,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Email Address:     A Faithful VersionKing James VersionNew International VersionNew King James Version Leave this field empty
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party. We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time.