Devotion for August 19, 2008

Are You Watching?

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, these things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV).

It has been said, “It’s not how strong you start the Christian life it’s how strong you finish that is important.” There are several warnings in Scripture not to fall asleep while waiting for the Lord’s appearance (Matt. 24:32-51; 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10-11). Believers are to remain steadfast until that day.

However, many will simply drift away from the Lord by entering a spiritual sleep like unto death. Several of those will prove they had never been awakened as described in the parable of the soils. Others will prove the same if they are not strengthen soon.

How shall they be strengthened? They must return to their watch. To do that means one must give attention to holiness. One must repent quickly of all known sins, and guard against future sins.

This may start to sound like a mantra, but reading Scripture, meditation upon Scripture, and praying in accordance with Scripture is the business of watching. Scripture, Scripture, Scripture do you get the picture?