April 24: APPRECIATING THE “HOW”
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” Revelation 3:3
Spiritual lethargy is a serious condition. The original word rendered remember is an imperative in the present continuous form. It is bearing in mind, not pausing to recall. It is ongoing in both attitude and action. The word how applies to the manner in which it was made possible for the gospel message to be delivered. For such a message to be carried in this world where Satan rules (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) there is great cost involved, beginning with Jesus and continuing with His true followers. The church in Sardis had received and heard this precious, life-saving message. In the first century, pagan Rome was the hellish instrument employed by the adversary to crush the messengers. By God’s grace, the seven churches had come into possession of it.
In the historical application, Sardis symbolizes the church which, through the reformers, began to regain access to the truth. Unhindered for 1260 years, Papal Rome had been spreading a message tainted with falsehoods while simultaneously opposing with incredible violence those Christians who stood up against the errors of the papacy. Millions lost their lives because they refused to compromise their convictions. The voices of various reformers had trumpeted truth, and light was piercing the darkness.
The how of the life-saving gospel message must continue to be remembered. Jesus says to hold fast and repent, for this message is of incomparably greater worth than anything in this life. To remember its great cost should deepen gratitude and love for the Savior, as well as awaken an unspeakable appreciation for those upon whose shoulders we now stand. To cultivate an ongoing attitude and an ongoing action that continues to pump this saving message into the world is to overcome spiritual lethargy. It is action motivated by an attitude of love to God and others.
The idea of Jesus coming as a thief conveys complete surprise to the unwatchful. It hearkens back to the surprise attacks that came upon Sardis. The first was by Cyrus the Persian in 549BC. And then again in 218BC by Antiochus. “You will not know what hour I will come upon you.” This statement referencing the return of Jesus indicates that there will be lethargic Christians at the end of time like those described in Sardis. They will fail to appreciate and live out the message of life that has been given to them at such great cost.
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. But you, brethren are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4