In chapters 2 and 3 in the book of the Revelation, Jesus tells John to write to seven churches in Asia. To each of these churches, Jesus has three common things to say. One is, “I know your works.” Secondly, He pronounces a blessing to the one “who overcomes.” Thirdly, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Each of the seven messages was addressed to an individual church, but the Lord calls on all to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches (plural). I believe one take away from these messages to the seven churches is that the Lord wants us to be an overcomer in the local church.
I know that sounds strange. Be an overcomer in the local church? We know the Bible talks about the need for us to overcome the world. But we must also commit to being an overcomer in the local church.
Why? Because of the nature of a local church. I used to hear the late Billy Graham say something like if you were to find a perfect church, the minute you become a member it would cease to be perfect. I don’t mean to imply that if you are a member of a local church where sound doctrine is not taught, it does not matter, and you should stay there anyway. Or that you should turn a blind eye to rampant immorality among the church leaders.
If you are a member of such a church, you should leave without hesitation. On the other hand, even if you belong to a local church where the Word of God is faithfully preached and taught and the leaders walk in integrity, it’s not and will never become a perfect church.
Follow Christ, Not the Church
There will always be challenges associated with people of different races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds striving to be one for the Kingdom. Even bona fide Christians can be extremely difficult to deal with at times. I have been in a local church or two where family members belonging to the same church don’t talk to each other.
You won’t always agree with the church leaders’ vision for the local church you belong to. The Christian church is not immune to local or national scandals.
But guess what; this is nothing new. The local churches John addressed in the book of the Revelation had bad things going on within. Jesus says to them, “I know your works.” But He never said He was coming to the church and clean house. Rather, He pronounced a blessing to those who were determined to be an overcomer.
We do this by staying committed to following Christ in spite of what’s happening in the local church we attend.
It is reasonable to assume that the spiritual status of the church will not improve as we approach the Lord’s return. On the contrary, increasingly more erroneous doctrines will invade our ranks. Paul the apostle writes concerning the last days, “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1, KJV). We must not allow ourselves to be sucked in by the winds of spiritual decline. To stay the course, we must commit to being an overcomer even within the church.
For Those Who Overcome
Here are some of the blessings Jesus pronounces upon those who overcome: He shall eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7); the second death shall not hurt him (verse 11); he will receive a new name in a white stone (verse 17); etc.
So, are you committed to being an overcomer in your local church?
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.