Looks Can Deceive

It is not who you are or
what you have done
but whether Jesus Christ
represents you at the Judgment Seat

 “’Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.  So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.  Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 

“But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’” Revelation 3:2-6

This is the only one of the seven churches where there is no commendation.  Only a few in the church had remained true.  The problem was spiritual death and too much wealth.  Oh, it looked good on the outside but was infested with sin and greedy, evil deeds

In a nutshell it warns:  Stay awake, complete your deeds, keep what you have received and heard, and repent.  The reward for your struggle -- even if you are the only one -- is to know you are safely represented by Jesus who has written your name for eternity in the book of life.  And one day Jesus will confess your name before the Father and His angels.