The Church of the Open Door

"See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Revelation 3:8 (NIV)

Jesus was pleased with the church of Philadelphia. He had placed before them an open door for ministry that no one could shut.  What was it about them that earned Jesus' praise? It wasn't that they had great strength--they were a church with little strength and had to rely on God. The church had two qualities that are at the top of God's list: they kept His word and did not deny His name. How hard it is to do those two things--back then, and now. Jesus admonished them to "Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." This speaks to finishing the race well. When it comes to perseverance, we are our own worst enemy. In his book, Messages on Revival, Vance Havner says:

"If ever our souls need to be on guard it is today. The temper of the times demands it. The world is chloroformed by the prince of darkness and Christians slumber in spiritual stupor. Our natures demand it. We are lazy and inclined to float downstream instead of to swim against the current. Forgetting the things which we have heard, we drift away from them. The heart must be broken up and sown with good seed and cultivated if there is to be a good harvest; but we are disposed to let the weeds grow."