RECOGNIZED FOR LOVE
I know your deeds—your loveG26, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first.
Revelation 2:19
2:19 The believers in Thyatira were a busy lot! They were involved in sacrificial ministry for the sake of others. What’s more, their works were increasing and characterized by faith, love, and patience; so the church was not guilty of mere religious activity.
NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible, 2021
1:20 the angels. The word lit. means “messenger.” Although it can mean angel—and does throughout the book—it cannot refer to angels here because angels are never leaders in the church. Most likely, these messengers are the 7 key elders representing each of those churches.
MacArthur Study Bible
The church at Thyatira received praise for their good deeds motivated by their love and faith. They were active in serving the Lord and were commended for their perseverance. Their good deeds, not to earn salvation but evidence of it, had increased over time. All in all, the message to this church begins on an extremely positive note. However, if you go on to read the rest of what the Lord says to the angel (messenger or elder) of the church in Thyatira, you see that they have allowed a person to not only continue in sin but to actively promote it. Not all of them were engaged in sexual immorality and idolatry, but apparently at least their leadership had turned a blind eye to those who were. There is no perfect congregation. Even the best local church that excels in loving, compassionate, service to the Lord and the community, does have flaws. The church in America may look too much like the church in Thyatira. We are called to love people who fall into sin but should never tolerate those who blatantly promote sinful behavior. Much easier said than done.
We have been discussing where this line should be drawn. How do we love and accept sinful people (which we all are, by the way) and yet not tolerate sin? How do we lovingly confront believers who are flaunting sin in the name of liberty in Christ? How can we be discerning without being judgmental? The answer is found in the motivation behind the confrontation. Are we speaking privately with a brother or sister in Christ about perceived sin in their life out of loving concern or are we accusing someone to feel better about ourselves? Are we participating in confrontation to stir up discord or to lovingly help a brother or sister back onto God’s path? Love must be the foundation for all we do and say.
Father, help us to be people recognized by our love for You and people. Keep us faithful and enable us to persevere. Help us to love everyone but be discerning about sin in our midst and especially in our own lives. Help us to not tolerate people who purposefully, intentionally draw people away from obedience to You, but help us also seek to restore them to a right relationship with You.