Revelation 3:8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and not one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name.

 

For the past several months, we have been studying through the Book of Acts and the Ministry (life and times) of the great Apostle Paul. As the Spirit of God moved him from place to place, we read of all that he encountered along the way the majority of which was persecution. We would call it torture.

 

The one city that welcomed Paul and the Message of the Cross was Berea. As we discussed yesterday, these people were students of the Scriptures. They knew the Words of the Prophets of Old so when Paul told them about Jesus and that He had fulfilled all the Prophecies, they believed him and quickly gave their hearts to Jesus.

 

The following is just my observation, but perhaps this is why Paul did not later send the Bereans a letter of correction as he did the other churches. He wrote to the Churches at Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, Galatia, Rome, and Colossae, but we have no record of Paul ever writing to the church in Berea.

 

In his letters (Epistles) to the churches, Paul talks to them about how they have drifted off track or somehow wavered in their faith. Although they were saved and believed in Jesus, their doctrine and belief structure had somehow become tainted and they were headed down the wrong path.

 

Not so with the Bereans. Why? Because their faith was grounded in the Scriptures. Their faith was in the Word of God. (At least what they had of it at that time.) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

 

This is also true with the letters written by Jesus to the Seven Churches in Revelation. The only Church that Jesus did not find fault with was Philadelphia. All the others had problems; big problems. However, the Church at Philadelphia received no word of correction from Jesus. Rather, He wrote I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and not one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name. (Revelation 3:8)

 

My friends, if the church you attend is not strictly adhering to the Word of God and lifting up the Name of Jesus, I suggest you find a church that is. False teachers who preach false doctrine are everywhere. There is one on every corner. As Jesus said, Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

 

 

The Name of Jesus will…...….turn the tide……….in this world.

 

On the narrow road,         Doreen

 

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