(23)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on October 27, 2019
Topic: The Assessment of the Churches (21): The Church in Sardis (Pursuing What Matters)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week we saw that even though we are saved by grace through faith, we still need to do works of faith or works of righteousness to be worthy or deserving of eternal salvation. The Lord had said that the devoted Christians in Sardis that they would walk with Him in white because they are worthy; a euphemism for the guarantee of eternal salvation.
We noted that to be accounted worthy by the Lord, like the devoted Christians in Sardis, we need to keep our garments (robes of righteousness) given to us at salvation, undefiled. For this to occur, we must value the gift of the garment, so much so that we would ensure that it is undefiled from the things that defile, like impure and evil thoughts, vain babblings and foolish disputes, excesses manifesting in revelries, feastings and cares of this life (the 'good' life, acquisitions, activism, politics, etc.), and, murmuring and complaining. In addition, we must endure persecution and tribulations with joy, live a life of holiness in every circumstance, study and meditate on the word of God, be prayerful and in the Spirit at all times, and, maintain constant fellowship with the Lord.
The important thing to note is that we are not called to be docile nor to live as we like here on earth; rather, we are called to live for Christ, and do the will of God at all times with the help of the Holy Spirit, who was given to us after we repented of sin and turned to God in faith.
Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 3:4-5
From the scripture text, we see that there is another group of people in Sardis who could also walk with the Lord in white; these are those who overcome. More than that, their names would not be blotted out of the Book of Life. We pray that the Holy Spirit will give us understanding so that we can pursue what is most significant as we continue in our journey to eternal salvation, Amen!
We live in a time when the pursuit of many Christians today is no different from the pursuit of the world, whereas, the word of God tells us to seek those things that are above (<strong>Colossians 3:1-2</strong>). So, as we conclude our discussions on the Lord's assessment of the Church in Sardis, and indeed, its ramifications for the church today, we want to discuss the pursuit that matters—is it your career, the comfort of life, human accomplishments, a happy marriage and home, and so on or is there something else?
1 John 5:4-5; 4:4; Romans 6:16-18; Galatians 5:24; 1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 12:8-9; 10:17-20; Exodus 32:31-33; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Proverbs 24:10; Hebrews 6:1-8; Proverbs 25:4-5; Ezekiel 22:18-22; Jeremiah 6:28-30; Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:7.
Conclusion
The Book of Life is a Book kept in heaven away from human corruption, and only those whose names are written therein will enter into heaven. Anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life will go into the Lake of Fire, which is eternal death! Having your name written in the Book of Life is, therefore, a pursuit that should matter to everyone who is serious about eternal salvation!
For your name to be written in the Book of Life, repent of sin and proclaim Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Once your name is written in the Book of Life, Satan will make every effort to get your name blotted out by getting you to sin, so resist him steadfastly. So, the issue is keeping your name from being blotted out from the Book of Life. As long as you keep away from anything that defiles, your name will remain in the Book of Life. Also, your name will remain in the Book of Life if you don’t deny the name of the Lord, but proclaim Him, especially in life-threatening conditions; if you keep from sin and the world; and if after your initial salvation, you again return to a life of sin but heed the word of God, and turn away from your sinful lifestyle unto God.
If, however, after you have been born again you return to a habitual life of sin (we are not talking of momentary sins that are quickly repented of and repudiated), and you spurn God's call to repent, over and over again, your name would be blotted out from the Book of Life. But even at that, your name will only be blotted out if you would not turn away from sin, even at the point of death; then you would be considered 'reprobate', that is, irredeemable, and your name will be blotted out from the Book of Life!
It is, therefore, extremely crucial that a believer in Christ makes every effort to ensure that his name is not blotted out of the Book of Life. The Lord tells us that having your name in the Book of Life is more important than working of miracles and even casting out demons, among other things that we do in the service of God (<strong>1 Corinthians 9:27; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23</strong>)!
Back to all Bible Study Outline List