A Name That You Are Alive

A Name That You Are Alive

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”’” Rev. 3:1.

It is unbelievable what people do to get a name for themselves. It is not written what kind of works the angel of the church in Sardis did, but by his works he had received a name that he was alive.

I would surely receive a name that I was alive if I spoke with the tongues of angels; or if I had the gift of prophecy and knew all the mysteries and had all knowledge; or if I had faith to move mountains; or bestowed all my goods to feed the poor. However, Paul says that I am nothing if I have all these things yet lack love. 1 Cor. 13:1-3.

It is written about some who preached Christ from envy and strife. Phil. 1:15. It is quite certain that many religious works are done out of envy. People compete in gathering the largest crowds, being the best speaker, and getting the most people to fall on their knees. The daily newspapers carry statistics of the various religious groups. At Christmas they do a great deal of welfare work, which is then broadcast. It is important for them that they have a name of being alive. Nevertheless, the examiner on Patmos did not find their works perfect before His God. Vanity was the driving force behind it all, not love. Eccl. 4:4.

This is how competition can easily arise in the church, especially among those who are in the forefront. It is also written about the things which remained that were ready to die in the church in Sardis. Many saints in Sardis were certainly carried along by this competition. But there were a few names in Sardis who had not defiled their garments. The garments are our works. Col. 3:12; Rev. 19:8. Perhaps they did not have so many of these visible works that gave them a name, or they did their works in the hidden and were not defiled by this competition. There is one thing that is certain about these few: they overcame in temptation. There are not many people who speak openly about their temptations, because everyone is drawn and enticed of his own lusts, and people usually try to hide this. Jas. 1:14. Jesus is acquainted with these battles. He knows your faithfulness in the hidden, when you were tempted to envy, honor-seeking, greed, laziness, respect of persons, etc., but you took up your cross and denied yourself. You went boldly to the throne of grace and received help. You were not defiled. This was not anything with which you could show off or make an impression on people, so you could receive a name. But He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars will confess the names of these few before the Father and His angels. Let us make sure that we receive a name there.