Who can hide from the Omnipresent and Omniscient God? Of course, no one can. God knew that the Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) was doing well. They were faithful in service. As a matter of fact, they had even improved. They were doing better than they were before. They were growing well.
Someone would say, “What could probably be wrong with this church?” Despite how good they seemed, how flourishing they seemed, they were still not doing something right. They tolerated Jezebel! Someone might be quick to say, “but we are to love everyone”. Oh yes, we are! But right from the old Testament, God instructed His children not to mingle with the unbelievers. They were never to marry from outside the confines of the Kingdom. Jezebel was a princess from an unbelieving country. She influenced Ahab into worshipping a lesser god- baal. That’s exactly what happens when one gets entangled with an unbeliever. Friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. (2Cor 6v14-18)
Absolute care must be taken when trying to win them over. You must be sure of your stand in God, else the one you are trying to pull out from the pit will end up pulling you into the pit. The Holy Spirit’s direction is very important.
Participating in or tolerating (supporting) any form of sexual sin(fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality,etc) is a griveous offense. Some think that sexual purity is old fashioned. It is not. God’s stand about all these remains the same- they are abominations. Your stand must be clear. You cannot stand on the fence!
You may not actually be a participant of the things that God hates, simply thinking that those who are doing it are ok is wrong. You may not be the one slandering, abusing, or making bad jokes that are derogatory to a fellow human being, merely joining them to laugh about it is wrong.
All the Church of Thyatira did was TOLERATE the evil. God sees the heart. The sin emphasized is not one that can be seen with human eyes. God’s eyes searches into the depth of our hearts. That sin of malice, envy, hate,…
And all the assemblies (churches) shall recognize and understand that I am He Who searches minds (the thoughts, feelings, and purposes) and the [inmost] hearts, and I will give to each of you [the reward for what you have done] as your work deserves.(Rev2v23b)
There are great rewards for everyone that steers clear from all APPEARANCES of evil and evil itself.
People may call you ‘critical’, ‘too serious’, ‘rigid’ or ‘old fashioned’. You see, that’s fine as long as you remain in God’s good book.
Tolerating sin is sin before God!
-OMOSEBI Mary Omolola (PhD)
© 2016
