John wrote letters to the seven churches as dictated by the Lord in the book of Revelation. I found the addresses to the churches to be words of wisdom as well as encouragements. All are within reach for the Christian. There is nothing that we cannot do or submit to. Since seven is the number of completion, we can be complete Christians.
- Keep the fervor of your first love for God alive. Don’t get complacent or take God for granted. Do what you need to do to keep your love for him vibrant be it praise, worship, read, listen to testimonies, or just read funny jokes.
- Persevere when you are under persecution of any kind. When people make fun of your commitment to God, cut you out of their lives because of your godly standards, or just accuse you of things you are not guilty of. Hang in and stay the course.
- Stay out of sexual immorality and idolatry. Regardless of what “other people” are doing, or any social pressure, keep yourself pure. Don’t make anything or anyone your life source be it drugs, sports, education, world religions or family.
- Stay away from greed and self-exaltation. Greed will lead you into sin and self-exaltation will supplant God in your life.
- Repent and forgive to get back in alignment with God. Be obedient to his directions and don’t manufacture your own plan of what is right.
- Hold on to what you have by keeping the Word and the name of Jesus. Devils will submit to you because of the Jesus in you. Doors will open and promotion is coming. Have patience.
- Allow the rough edges of your behavior and spech to be refined by listening and practicing. Be pure in your thinking as well as acting. Let your eyes to be anointed to see clearly where you are going and what is around you. Be honest with yourself and be willing to repent.
These are words of wisdom, not regulations.