“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.” (Revelation 3:1–3, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Reputation is what others think about us. Character is who we really are. They can be the same but often are not. God does not rely on our reputation, because He sees our character. Whether our faith is “alive” or “dead.”
When our character falls short of our reputation, “[our] deeds [are not] complete in the sight of [our] God.” Whenever we “wake up” and find ourselves in this situation, as we often do, God provides a remedy.
First, “strengthen what remains.”
Second, “remember…what [we] have received and heard.”
Third, “obey it.”
Fourth, “repent” of not living up to “what [we] have received and heard.”
My Advice – “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:15–16, NIV 1984).
What is it we have obtained? “[A] righteousness from God [that] comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22, NIV 1984).
How can we live up to it? “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world [reputation] but be transformed [character] by the renewing [remember] of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV 1984).
What can we do to transform our mind? “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think [strengthen] about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard…put it into practice [obey it].” (Philippians 4:8–9, NIV 1984).
