7 Churches of RevelationParaugs

The size of our faith determines the quality of our impact

Devotional: 

In Revelation 3:7-13 Jesus, through John, addresses the church in Philadelphia. The believers in Philadelphia have stayed faithful even through difficult times. They have “little power” yet have “kept God’s word” through it all. Their faithfulness has made it possible for the Gospel to continue in their area. Even though their church is small and not influential, their faithfulness is to be admired.

Ultimately, everyone will know that Jesus is Lord, as truth is not determined by what is popular, but what is actually true. Regardless of the number of people that recognize Christ as Lord, that doesn’t change the fact that He is. This is a welcomed encouragement to the believers in Philadelphia and to us today.

No one can take away the grace and mercy that God offers through Christ, and those that receive the life that Christ offers will dwell forever in God’s kingdom. And hardships in life aren’t a sign that God has rejected you. 

In fact, experiencing difficulty in life is the norm in our current life, not the exception. Suffering does not mean you lack faith. We see in 2 Corinthians 4:14-18 that suffering is to be expected. It is through our suffering that God can actually use us in more powerful ways.

This means things like social status, economic status, and the amount of our influence, are not determining factors of who God will use. Like the church in Philadelphia, we see that the size of our faith determines the quality of our impact. Our trust and faithfulness to Christ are what He uses more than anything else.

Today’s challenge:

Pick someone in your life that is going through something difficult and do one practical thing today to love them well in the midst of it.