Read Revelation 2:12-17

As we enter into one of the harder books to plainly understand in the Bible, one sentence can sum up what the Lord has given John to write and warn this church:

“Do not compromise the principles I have laid out before you.”

When I read the verses and warnings above, I can’t help but think of the very difference between believers in Jesus and followers of Jesus and the compromising of principles that is laid out before us. 

I never understood this until I surrendered my life to Jesus and became a follower of His. My entire life, I believed in Jesus and I knew the principles that were laid out before me to follow but I chose not to, instead choosing to live life my way. I chose to spend my time, treasures and talents the way I thought they should be spent. I never gave a second thought to what made the Lord smile or what was honoring and pleasing to Him. Therefore, there was no fruit flowing from my spiritual life into my earthly life. 

Then, I surrendered my life. I became a follower of Jesus. My principles and what I stood for changed as my life changed; and as my life changed, the fruit of my life began to prosper. 

Here is John, writing a warning to the Church of Pergamum, trying to get them to understand the difference between what pleases the Lord and what doesn’t. 

Revelation is considered prophecy. How I look at prophecy is instruction and warning given at one time for also another time. I believe the Lord’s principle in showing us this prophecy of what is to come is teaching us to remember to reevaluate our lives. To understand that, when you are a follower of Jesus, the principles that you live by are changed and new life and a new way begins. This new life and new way honors the Lord. 

Maybe there are areas of your life that need to transfer from the principles of your own thinking and into the God perspective and His principles. Do you see fruit flowing from your walk with the Lord?

There are so many issues in our world with so many opinions attached to them. Who are you listening to when deciding where you stand? Are you standing with the words and teachings of those around you, or are you listening to God’s word and basing your life on that truth, trusting that God is in control? 

Let’s reevaluate and look at where our principles lay and change where we need to, based on what God is telling us honors Him.

Kelly Lawson