I Have [Not] Arrived!

We have had some beautiful fall days this week.  It has given me the opportunity to take some long walks, which also gives me ample time to pray and think about my status as a Christian.  Having been raised as a part of the Lutheran denomination, and then switching to the Assemblies of God upon marriage, I have a mixture of doctrines floating around in my brain.  It makes for some interesting thoughts at times!

Today these thoughts included remembering the seven churches listed in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelations.  Tonight I am revisiting these passages for a fresh look. 

The Church in Ephesus:
    -Hard working, with perseverance                           -Have forsaken your first love
    -Doesn't tolerate wicked men                                   -Have fallen from where you once were
    -Test for false apostles                       *BUT*           -Are in need of repentance
    -Endure hardships                                                     -Need to do the things you once did
    -Don't grow weary

The Church in Smyrna:
    -Deal with afflictions
    -Live in poverty
    -Will face prison and persecution as a test

The Church in Pergamum:
    -Remain true to the name of Christ   *BUT*            -Have some who hold to wrong teachings
    -Do not renounce your faith                                      -Need to repent

The Church in Thyatira
    -Good deeds                                      *BUT*             -Tolerate misguided teachings
    -Have love and faith
    -Notable service and perseverance
    -Doing more than at first

The Church in Sardis:
   -Good deeds                                                                -Deeds are not complete in God's sight
   -Reputation of being alive                 *BUT*             -Actually dead
   -Only some who are worthy

The Church in Philadelphia:
   -Have kept God's Word                                             -Need to hold on to what they have
   -Have not denied God's name
   -Endure patiently

The Church in Laodicea:
   -Lukewarm in spirit
   -Rely on riches,
   -Blinded Eyes

Could it be the churches mentioned in Revelations give us a glimpse of what our modern day churches look like?  Where do you see yours fitting in?  What kind of a review do you think your church would receive?  Would there be more commendation given or changes requested?  There is also a promise to each of the churches, but only to those who overcome, leaving me to believe we will all face challenges along the way.

Yes, there is reason to take a look at your church as a whole and evaluate how God might see it.  But there is also reason to look at your own personal life and see where it lines up.  What is it in your life which gives you permission to call yourself a Christian?  Is it because you were baptized, either as an infant or at an older age?  Was it by sprinkling or immersion?  Did you answer an "altar call" or say a proper prayer?

To me, the essence of being a Christian is believing Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of your sin.  It is at this point your focus must change from doing things your way to that of doing things God's way.  It is also important to remember at no point will you ever fully arrive at the perfect Christian walk until such time Christ calls you out of this sinful world into His perfect one. 

Yes, I am a Christian.  No, I have not fully arrived.  But day by day I'm striving to walk the walk modeled before me by Christ, for whose name I now live!  Hopefully I will meet up with you along the way, too!