Devotional:
Jesus celebrates the believers in Thyatira for growing in good deeds. Not for having the best worship services or seeing most salvations, although many people came to faith there. Instead, Jesus celebrates their service and perseverance, the fact that there’s been movement in their spiritual lives over time.
Salvation is a big deal. Heaven celebrates when one person repents of sin and starts a relationship with Jesus (Luke 15:7). But salvation isn’t the end goal for believers in the church. It’s just the beginning.
Like the church in Thyatira, we are to grow in love, faith, and acts of service. This isn’t something that happens overnight. Spiritual growth happens over time as we pursue a closer relationship with Jesus each and every day.
As we allow Jesus to show us new ways to think and live, our actions and attitudes begin to change. We begin to want the things Jesus wants, and we start to do the things Jesus would do. Like a tree that grows bigger and bears more fruit each year, over time, our lives show the fruit of someone walking in step with Jesus’ Spirit.
Rather than giving into “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy,” we start to bear spiritual fruit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:19-26).
No one is capable of changing that much on their own. But as we persevere in our relationships with Jesus, He changes us from the inside out.
Reflect:
- With the fruits of the Spirit in mind, what is one way you’ve seen yourself grow since meeting Jesus?
- The believers in Thyatira were doing great things in many areas, but they were ignoring sin in one area of the church. Is there any area of your life where you aren’t allowing the Holy Spirit to initiate change?
- If you’re not producing any of the fruits mentioned in Galatians or if closeness with God doesn’t make sense, your next step could be starting a relationship with Jesus. Learn more about salvation and what it means to know Jesus, not just about Jesus. Check out this page or contact someone today.