Dr. Tony Evans once stated, “The reason we have to ‘find time for God’ is because He’s become a ‘when-I-get-around-to-it’ love. We have lost our first love for Him.” He further noted that too many in the church are part-time Christians who want God’s full-time blessing – we expect His blessings in spite of our faithlessness.
In Revelation 2:8-11, the church in Smyrna was recognized by God for their rich heritage of faith as well as their continued commitment to the Gospel (verse 9). The ancient city of Smyrna, located in present-day Turkey, was a prosperous one and contained many tradespeople, who eventually formed unions (guilds) in basket-fishing, tanning, gold, and silver. Adding to the city’s fame was the magnificent Roman temple dedicated to their god and ruler, the Emperor.
Membership in the local guilds was required in this thriving business community, and “union dues” included the expectation that you would occasionally worship and make sacrifices to the Emperor. The message of hope sent to the church came at a time when they faced not only overt persecution for their refusal to follow union guidelines but the reality of poverty as they lost jobs due to their faith.
Society through time has presented believers with the temptation to “blend in” with whatever current theology or policy is in place. Rather than measuring the veracity of man’s ideas against the Bible, the Body of Christ can find themselves enticed into “tweaking” God’s Word to seem more palatable to the lost culture around them. In some instances, employees may be expected to “go along to get along,” occasionally encountering company expectations in direct opposition to Biblical teaching.
Scripture tells believers to recognize, respect, and pray for government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4) while making the conscious choice – a line in the sand – to bow only to their ultimate authority: God. Unfortunately, many who profess allegiance to their Heavenly Father choose instead to imitate the patterns of this world rather than allowing Christ to transform them (Romans 12:2).
Have you, like the church in Smyrna, “drawn a line in the sand” related to your faith? The application of your determination and commitment may seem challenging, but it carries the promise of God’s presence, His blessing, and an ultimate, eternal victory.
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