Conquerors #5—A Celebrated Name

Some people in Sardis have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Those who conquer will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase their names from the book of life, but will declare their names before my Father and before his angels. Revelation 3:4–5

When Yahweh led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he became their deity and they became his people. His name, his reputation, was tied to their actions. So, he warned them that it would not go well with them if they bore his name falsely; that is, if they lived like everyone else in the world even though they had agreed to do as he instructed. Most ignored him. Evidently, many in the congregation in Sardis, like the Israelites before them, grew lax. They claimed to be “alive in Christ,” but they were so lax that no one could distinguish them from the “dead” world around them. Because they didn’t “walk in the light,” their spiritual garments became filthy; they were not worthy to be seen with Jesus. But there was hope for them, and for us should we become lax. We can conquer our indifference if we “thoroughly and carefully consider how to live, not as unwise but as wise, so that we understand what the will of the Lord is.” When we do, Jesus will celebrate the names of each of those who honor him … forever!

Lord, Christ, grant that I will demonstrate great eagerness for the fulfillment of my hope, so that I may not be sluggish, but an imitator of you and of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.