Troglodyte!

​Meditation
Revelation 3:2—Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.
 

If I was part of the church of Sardis (located in the nation of Turkey), I would be very concerned.  John was told to write them that while they had a reputation for being alive in their works for God yet in truth He viewed them as dead.  Sardis was a church God was prepared to come against instead of come for (vs 3).  Sardis believers were free of persecution and poverty and were not battling internal heresies. Their problem was that they had uncompleted responsibilities. What they desperately needed was to repent, get back in the race and do what God called them to do. Only a few people in the whole church were walking faithfully.  George Eldon Ladd defined them as “a picture of nominal Christianity, outwardly prosperous, busy with the externals of religious activity, but devoid of spiritual life and power.”[1]  That sounds like a definition that would fit many churches today. 

God is offended by slumbering believers. To be alert requires one to be awake!  Rather than start a year focused on resolutions to: lose weight, stop smoking or consuming too much alcohol, be nice, etc., perhaps it would be wise to first address six pivotal spiritual questions.  
1.  What has God called me to do in serving Him?  
2.  Am I faithfully engaged in fulfilling that calling?  
3.  If not, why not?  
4.  Am I willing to repent and get back to work? 
5.  When with God’s help will I get started?
6.  Who will help me be accountable?
​
Don’t be a troglodyte! According to the dictionary, a troglodyte is “a prehistoric cave dweller” or, in the context of which I am referring, a secluded person of poor character “unacquainted with affairs of the world.”[2]  Our Father in heaven wants us to be cognizant of what is going on around us, engaged in bringing people to Him and faithful in obeying His leading.  This is a great time to self-evaluate, recommit and bear fruit.  Be like the few in Sardis who were undefiled.  Jesus promised to walk with them in their white clothing because they were worthy (vs. 4).  That sounds like a great walk to look forward to . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
When prayer is less sweet and easy; when love is less animated and tender; when the presence of God is less evident and less consoling; when even outward duties are fulfilled with less facility and enjoyment; then faithfulness is greater when maintained under these painful circumstances, and that is all that God requires.—Francois Fenelon
 
©2014 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

[1]George Eldon Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John
[2]http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/troglodyte?s=t