Revelation 2:18-29 The Letter to Thyatira 18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze, says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known the deep things of Satan—as they say—I do not put any other burden on you.25 But hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations-- 27 and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery-- just as I have received this from My Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. per·mis·sive pərˈmisiv/ adjective
It is one thing to love someone because Christ loved us but it completely different to accept that person's behavior as OK if God clearly says it is not. It would be even worse to accept it and even celebrate it within our church body in order to make us more accessible or attractive. The Passive church of Pergamum overlooked some teachings and people in their church but the permissive Church of Thyatira was allowing flat out sin to thrive in their church body. It was even encouraged and accepted.
Church discipline is a very sensitive issue and it should be handled with a lot of love and discretion but never-the-less it should be handled. We are given instruction from Jesus Himself on how to handle sin within the Body of Christ (Matthew 18) and the Holy Spirit through Paul also. (1Corinthians 5, Galatians 6) Much like the church in Corinth this church in Thyatira was abusing grace and even using it as license to sin. Jezebel was bringing the worship practices of her culture which involved sex out of marriage and food that was offered to idols into the Christian church. Jesus clearly calls them to repent which simply means to change your mind and turn from that to something else in this case Jesus Himself and what is true. We all need to repent daily and often because our thoughts and actions are not His continually. Our minds need to be renewed by His word and we need to turn from what we believe to be right to what He says is right. The Good Shepherd speaks to His sheep to correct and direct them, it is our responsibility to repent and do what He says. You are not alone we are one body in Christ. Have a great day day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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