Revelation: Jesus has 20 / 20

Into:
Do your deeds show that you are a Christian?

You know a tree by its fruit. You know a train by its sound. You know a Christian by its actions.

It would be crazy to call an apple tree an orange tree if apples are hanging on the limbs. It would be crazy to call a person a Christian if there is little love and perserverance hanging in their lives.
We all fall short, we all fail at times but our beliefs are creating behavior. If we do not see deeds in keeping with the Spirit of God or the Scriptures we need to look at what we believe and what story our deeds are telling.

After all, that is what Jesus is looking at.

Read: Revelation 2:18-29
18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
27 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' - just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Think:
Twice, Jesus tells this church that he is aware of their deeds (v.19, 23) . He knows what their lives are producing, he commends them and will reward them for their choices (v.23).

So, what captures the attention of Jesus? What does he see in the deeds of this church that are worthy of mentioning?

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Revelation 2:20

Jesus KNOWS = by watching with his eyes and by inspection

He knows their DEEDS = activity for the Kingdom of God

He knows their LOVE = sacrificial love

He knows their FAITH = trust in God

He knows their SERVICE = act out the commands of others

He knows their PERSEVERANCE = stay under the pressure

He knows that they are doing more than at the first.

Do:
What does Jesus KNOW about your walk with him? What does he see with his eyes when he looks at you or your church?

How is your love for others? How is your service? Are you faithful and trusting the Lord? How is your perseverance? Are you holding to the Lord in difficult times?

Can you choose one of the "deeds" above and take it to the Lord in prayer this day? Talk with him about it and ask him to help you trust him with it.

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