“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
Revelation 2:2-5
- It all begins with prayer and self-evaluation
2“Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2 (GWB)
If you refuse to see your sin and pray daily you will become prideful.
Forgive yourself for staying the same this long and receive the forgiveness of God.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. “But the father… Luke 15:21-22a (NIV)
If you refuse to accept the forgiveness of God you will live in shame.
- Don’t make a habit of complaining about your present circumstances.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols.
1 Samuel 15:23 (NKJV)
If you refuse to trust God in your present circumstance you will become rebellious.
- Give up analysis that breeds paralysis.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NIV)
If you refuse to choose faith, fear will consume you.
- Let’s do this together.
See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!
Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
If we refuse to be in community, everybody loses.