The Letter to Sardis

The Letter to the church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) is one in which we see two contrasting aspects of God’s ways: He wants to redeem a dead church, or, He will remove the gifts and works appointed to them, coming as the Thief. In this letter, Jesus is setting the stage for their success, or their loss.


Our life is expressed in what we say and do. The church at Sardis had imperfect works which showed that they were dead. However, the people there looked upon their works as full of life. What the people needed was discernment. In Jesus’ admonition to them He warns them to “wake up”. Their intellectual reasoning was dull and Jesus wanted to give them discernment. Once Jesus got them to the point of discernment, He wanted their efforts to bring forth works filled with life, so He asks them to “strengthen” what is good. Finally, Jesus commands them to “remember” what they had received; their foundation upon which they built. What was given to them was holy, and what they built with needed to be holy also.

What do we build with? Paul admonishes us to build with “gold, silver, and costly stones” because when we build with “wood, hay or straw” our works will not survive the test of God’s fire (1 Cor 3:12) . Costly stones, or jewels, represent God’s redeemed people. In Malachi we read “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. And ye shall return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.” (Mal 3:17-18 KJV)

Individually, our character and works must be based on knowing and handling the word of God with integrity (2 Tim 2:15). Corporately, our works must be based on the same integrity, following God’s will and employing godly men to accomplish it. If our workers are consultants, wanting to bring our church into a “new look” by making it seeker-friendly, they may be willing to compromise the integrity of the scriptures to accomplish their goal. If they want to bring the church into prosperity they will want products to market instead of sound teachings that promote individual integrity in Christians.

Jesus wants to restore His people to the soundness that is only found in God’s integrity, expressed through His words, and applied by His Holy Spirit in us. He does not want to come as a thief, though He will. A thief takes away what was given. We see this concept in the parable of the watchful servant (Lk 12:35-48). The unfaithful, impatient servant had his job taken away. Also, in the parable of the talents (Lk 19:12-27) we see that the unfaithful servant’s talent is taken away. Jesus becomes the One who judges and takes talents and jobs away from people who are unfaithful because He wants His people nurtured (one servant beat them, and did not give them their portion on time), and because He wants good leaders set over His people (one servant buried his talent, but the faithful ones were given more to rule over). God wants good for His people, even if it sadly costs some their talents and positions.

Those who have integrity of character and works are dressed in white. Jesus will not come like a thief, taking away their name from the book of Life. He will not only leave their name in the book, but He will acknowledge them before His Father and His angels. Do we want to be known by those who serve God from heaven? Do we want our heavenly Father to boast about us as He did Job? Or will we compromise it all to follow unscrupulous men whose ideas lack integrity? Jesus wants to redeem us and our ministries. The choice is ours. Let us be found in white, watching and faithfully serving the King. Amen