Scripture to Read: Revelation 3:7
God has been teaching us a lot through His letters to the seven churches in Revelation, chapters 2 & 3. This week, we unpack what our Lord Jesus Christ wrote to the church in Philadelphia through John. As we start this week, we need to remember that our Lord Jesus spoke to all seven churches, instructing the churches (and all Christians) to remember our “first love,” which of course is our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus also taught the churches about the importance of walking worthy of the calling we have been called with by our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10-12; Colossians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). It is interesting that of the seven churches, Jesus only counted two of those churches as faithful. The two churches Jesus consider “worthy” are the ones who would seem, from the world’s point of view, to be failures because of the suffering they were going through. Suffering is not always a sign of failure, for God tells us that in this world we should expect suffering if we are fully living for Him (John 15:18-25, James 1:2-4; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:18-25; 1 Peter 3:14-18; 1 Peter 4:12-16). No one likes to think about suffering, but we should not be surprised by the suffering we face as we live for our Lord Jesus Christ. The other five churches the world would believe are successful; Jesus points out where they are failing. May we be considered worthy by our Lord and not the world.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about suffering in this life and about your worthiness?
2. How are you pursuing Christ, His Word, and living for Him so you are prepared for whatever suffering you might face?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!