"You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ... 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 3:1,4-6
Do you know what it means to be a nominal Christian. You can probably guess. Nominal means "in name or thought but not in fact or not as things really are". Nom as the root of the word is French and Haitian Creole for name. It is "nombre" in Spanish. "Nome" in Italian. "Nomen" in Latin. Enough of the etymology lesson. To my point, to be a nominal Christian is to wear the "name tag" that declares you are a Christian - having the reputation, but you are not living the life. Your heart is not truly devoted to God. A Christian in name only - nominal.
That was the many in the Church of Sardis. Doing good things perhaps but all the while being spiritually dead. The world can see their works, good in the eyes of man - but God sees the heart.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
What does a nominal look like in the world today. Well, a person who does not spend time with God apart from Sunday church service, if that. They have no hunger for the Word of God. The only scripture they are exposed to is what is projected on a screen at church. They seldom pray. Perhaps they will toss a prayerful "bone of gratitude" when they eat a meal. But they don't see the need to pray before the appetizer. Appetizers don't count - just the main meal - maybe. Or they pray when they are having some trouble and then they call on God like He is a 911 service. They seldom mix it up with other Christians unless they happen to run in the same social circles or see them at work. Nominal. They don't really have time for God - just can't seem to squeeze Him into their schedule. Nominal.
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" - Matthew 7:21-23
Does this seem harsh. The truth is that the only way you will be rejected by Jesus is if you are not a Christian. Not a born-again believer. If you bear the name but don't carry the cross. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. This is not about losing your salvation. It is about never being saved - just acting like you are. Believing that looking good is good enough.
Like our pastor said last Sunday. A nominal Christian should either repent and change their ways or change their name.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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