October 15, 2014

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!

Revelation 2:12–17

Jeremy Moore
Wednesday's Devo

October 15, 2014

Wednesday's Devo

October 15, 2014

Central Truth

God seeks you completely and is not satisfied with just a part of you. He desires to work in all of us and through all of us.

Key Verse | Revelation 2:13, 14

"'[Y]ou hold fast my name, and did not deny my faith . . . . 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 2:13a,14)

Revelation 2:12–17

To the Church in Pergamum

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith 1 2:13 Or your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 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. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Footnotes

[1] 2:13 Or your faith in me

Dive Deeper | Revelation 2:12–17

As John wrote to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, he reached out with encouragement, but also conveyed his deep conviction about areas that needed to be addressed in order to advance the cause of Christ. He was loving in his ways of addressing the issues as a whole, for the health of the body; not to point blame, but to spur them towards the truth (Hebrews 10:24-25).

At all times, we have the opportunity to compromise and choose the sinful pleasures of our flesh over what Christ has perfectly provided for us in His will. But what a joy it is to be in the presence of community where we have the opportunity to be refocused if we happen to wander off the path. Loving assistance is provided in the dark to help get us plugged back into the source of light.

Instruction can be hard to receive, especially when it directly deals with what you lack in your life. Even right before I ran with the bulls, my male ego kept prompting me in my mind, "You've got this, you're strong, you don't need help." Luckily, I saw the flawed logic in that and listened to the veterans that were running around me. I was trying to swap years of wisdom and experience to save my pride when it could have cost me my life.

As the body of Christ, we are called to be imitators of God as dearly loved children, eagerly awaiting direction from our Father. When we are lost, our brothers and sisters can assist and guide. God did not intend for this race to be run as a sprint or to be run solo. He designed it to be perfected in a community atmosphere, providing assistance to those in need so that we all finish strong together.

United we stand, divided we fall!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, NIV)

Discussion Questions

1. Is there an area in your life that could be compromising the depth of your relationship with Christ?

2. Are you yoked with strong believers and seeking their counsel to show you areas for improvement?

3. Do you believe that full devotion to Him will yield the best in all areas of your life?