A Church With Mixture (Part II)

Jesus’ performance evaluation of the church of Thyatira was alarming!

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.  Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Revelation 2: 18-21

The scripture tells us that while Jesus gave Jezebel time to repent, she chose not to.

Why didn’t she repent? Was she comfortable because she had a following? Just because a group is in agreement with each other or someone has a following, it doesn’t mean God is pleased! First and foremost, our agreement should be with the Lord and His word, and secondarily with others. If our priority is to stay in unity and agreement with others apart from the Truth, we will be in a pitiful position!

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13

Jesus called us to be salt and light to the world, but He said if the salt loses its saltiness how can its state be changed?

In this day and age, we see a lot of false teaching including the encouragement of sexual immorality in the so-called “church”. Some do it in the name of compassion. Others are doing it because they themselves want to do what they want to do. There is a group who thinks that the church is supposed to reflect the culture as a result they are trying to stay relevant and open minded about the issues. Denominations are being split over these issues and everyone is quoting the Bible to do it! The bottom line is that when we compromise the word of God, we may gain an audience and a following, but in the process the church will lose its saltiness!

We shouldn’t have to argue/disagree with our brothers and sister in Christ on what sexual immorality is. The Bible is very clear on this issue. Our struggle should be to help the unbelievers to be healed of their issues and see the heart and the will of God regarding their sexuality, identity, and purpose in life. If the church loses its saltiness to preserve the culture from going in the wrong direction, then what will happen to the church? The church will lose its mission, its message, and its power to be God’s changing agent in the earth!

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:22-23

Jezebel had a following, but Jesus was ready to cast her and her followers in the bed of sickness and kill her children for the sexual immorality. When the salt loses its saltiness, it has lost its power & purpose. God will not use it, and as matter of fact, He will curse it!

Are we staying salty by allowing ourselves to be preserved through the word of God and not lose our saltiness? Are we willing to be preservers of what is true in whatever sphere God has given us? Are we willing to bring about the seasoning of truth where there is partial truth? Are there things around us that make our spirit grieve which draw us to prayer and intercession?

How can what happened in the church of Thyatira happen now? There is much we can learn from this church. I will continue with this topic in the next devotional.