Resembling Sardis?

As I’ve thought about the overall message of Christ to the seven churches in the vision of Revelation 2 and 3 (see previous blog), I have been particularly struck by Jesus’ warning to the church in Sardis:

“…I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you…” (Rev. 3:1-3)

To give a little background about this church, the city of Sardis was the capital of Lydia, and it stood as a great and prosperous city for many years. It was known in particular for its virtually impenetrable citadel—an acropolis surrounded by cliffs of rock. Interestingly enough, though the fortress was never taken by battle, it was twice captured in the secret of night. The two captures “…while watchmen neglected their duty became a cautionary tale of misguided complacency and lack of vigilance” (ESV Study Bible). This gives the modern-day reader of Revelation 3 new insight into the message Jesus gave to the church at Sardis. Just as the prominent, powerful city of Sardis felt itself alive with splendor and impenetrable by outside forces, the church apparently thought it was doing just fine. Yet both were blinded by their own weaknesses and vulnerable to defeat. “The letter to ‘the angel of the church in Sardis’ (Rev. 3:1–6) suggests that the early Christian community there was imbued with the same spirit as the city, resting on its past reputation and without any present achievement, and failing, as the city had twice failed, to learn from its past and be vigilant” (IVP New Bible Commentary).

I can’t help but wonder how much the American church has become like Sardis. I wonder how much of our supposed “strength” comes from the past. Is our faith really strong and vibrant now? Or have we left ourselves open to attack and destruction because of a lack of vigilance and care for our souls—and for one another as the church? It’s impossible for me to say, of course. I am simply one member of the global church of Christ. But I think it’s a thought worth pondering—and, at very least, a warning worth heeding personally, and within our local body of believers.

“Remember, then, what you received and heard….The one who conquers …I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 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.” (Rev. 3:3-6)

May we have ears to hear, and hearts to follow what the Spirit is saying to us.