Performance Review #5: Backsliding

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived Tagged with ,

Passage:  Revelation 3:1-6

Verse:  “Wake up!  Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God.”  Revelation 3:2

Evaluation of:  The church in Sardis [theme is backsliding]

Evaluator:

  • Him [Jesus]
  • Who holds the sevenfold Spirit of God [the Holy Spirit in His perfect fullness]
  • Who also holds the seven stars [the 7 human leaders of these 7 churches]

Strength:  I know …

  • Your deeds

Weaknesses:

  • But I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God
  • You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead

Steps:

  • Wake up!
  • Strengthen what remains and is about to die
  • Remember what you have received and heard
  • Obey it
  • Repent

Warning:  If you do not wake up …

  • I [Jesus] will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come

Incentives:

  • Those who remain faithful to Me will walk with Me dressed in white [forgiven, cleansed and pure]
  • I [Jesus] will never blot out his name from the Book of Life
  • I [Jesus] will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels

Application:

Take 2 fingers and place them on the front side of your neck. Can you feel your pulse?  Good, that means you are A-L-I-V-E!  But what about your spiritual pulse?  Is your heart beating fast for the Lord these days?  If so, take a moment right now to rejoice that you’re alive in the Lord. If it’s not beating, WAKE UP!!  Do whatever it takes to get your spiritual heart pumping again.

What works for you?  Solitude?  Music?  Devotional reading?  Prayer?  Journaling?  Fellowship?  Church?  Jesus says: 1) Strengthen; 2) Remember; 3) Obey; and 4) Repent. Otherwise you’re living as though you’re dead already.

Prayer:

“Lord, You know the condition of my heart. I want my heart to beat fast for You. I want to be on fire spiritually. Renew, recharge and revitalize my heart. Amen.”

© 2014 Steven A. Lake

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.