Revelation 2:21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.
The church in Thyatira was in danger of being influenced negatively by its culture and listening to the wrong voice. They have been listening to the voice of Jezebel and become enticed by the immorality and idolatry of their culture. Jesus’ letter to them is an opportunity to change their direction before it is too late.
God gives people opportunity to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God will speak to us in different ways, unique to each person’s situation: what we hear, read, see, feel, and experience. These things are both inside of us and outside. How do we know it is God speaking? We need to consider the purpose or goal of what we are hearing: Is it convicting us of our sins and leading us to repentance?
The problem is not so much hearing God’s speak and convict us. The problem is more the repenting and turning from our sins. We become comfortable with culture and sin. Leaving this and becoming “set aside” (holy) to God comes at great cost. It will require that we reject the old person and take on a new person. The deceiver tricks us into thinking that the old is better because it is comfortable and satisfies selfish desires. This is a lie and must be rejected. The new life in Christ brings the greatest satisfaction.
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