Are we like the church of Sardis? Is the Underground? Am I? Are you? Do we have this great reputation on the outside... people saying nice and flattering things about us... but do they align with God's view of us? Would the good things people say about us match what God has to say about us? He is the one who sees the truth of who we really are. Let us be honest and sober-minded of ourselves. Let us confess the lies, the hidden things and enjoy the freedom and wholeness that the Holy Spirit can bring.
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3:1-6
We shouldn't ask God to take our sins or trials away (ie: our desires, our pain). That isn't how he works. He has given us a Spirit of power and self-control to get through them and to flee from sin. He has given us a Spirit of love that empowers us to love others, even when it is difficult to do so. God was pleased when Solomon asked for wisdom to deal with his enemies, instead of asking to have them destroyed or taken away.
