Have you ever bristled as someone told you how you could do your job better? You might be surprised to hear that when that happens here, the Church wasn’t upset…want to know why? Read on.
Generally, we are upset when someone who doesn’t know any more than we do (or that we think doesn’t know any more than we do) shows up and gives us advice. When that happens, we might here “you aren’t doing good enough” or “you are failing” even if that’s not what they meant to share. Or, we might see the other person as a “know it all” who just wants to look important. So why is that when one of the famous singers on the TV show “The Voice” gives advice to a singer they always seem grateful? Why aren’t they upset? Why don’t they tell this busy body to “mind their own business?”
I know, it’s obvious. But I’m just trying to explain my argument. We don’t mind being coached by someone whose intent is to make us better, someone who is an obvious success and professional at their craft. People pay good money for that kind of advice….we want it, we aren’t upset when it’s offered.
That’s what’s going on here in Revelation. Jesus isn’t angry with the Church, far from it. He’s proud of them, and He loves them. He’s smiling as he says “I have a couple of things against you”. I think those words could be offered in this way “you need to improve in the following areas” or “there are a couple of things you need to address in order to truly be successful”.
I can read the words that Jesus intended for Ephesus and see myself in there. Jesus knows my hard work, He knows that I love Him and that I’m dedicated to Him. He isn’t questioning that at all. But things begin to seem a little stale after a while…maybe something else has captured my emotional attention and sapped my spiritual energy and focus. I need the One who conquered death to say to me “let me have your attention” or “Rick, you need to focus over here”. In fact, I welcome that advice. In the times when Jesus says to me what He said to Ephesus, I say “Lord, you are right. Help me get back to where I need to be, and thanks for pointing it out to me.” Jesus won’t let me wander off…He loves me too much for that. When I am weak, he is strong. When I am lost or confused, He knows and is aware. When I quit caring, he cares perfectly because He cannot “care less”. Too often we hear a threat when we read these words in Revelation 2. “I won’t accept you if you don’t behave perfectly, or if you make a mistake”. That’s not true. Does God want us to improve? Absolutely. But I don’t think He’s going to toss us out if we struggle through the process.
So quickly then, what about the other churches mentioned? Two things jump out: don’t tolerate those who advocate what is not Scriptural. And, those who “stay the course” or remain faithful to the end will receive enormous rewards. The old song “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus” runs through my mind.
Stay the course my friends, don’t become upset or frustrated when Jesus points out that you aren’t perfect, no one is. Receive the Master’s advice and counsel for what it is: pointers on how to become better.
For instance (I’m almost done, hang in there)….
Jesus wanted the church to be strong and powerful, so they needed to cut ties with the Nicolatians and Jezebel’s who were holding them back and sapping their strength. Jesus was saying “you will be stronger when you cut these people loose”.
Celebrating good advice,
PR