The faithful remnant.
Christian Congregations always had the faithful remnant in their midst. “But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white because they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4, NET. Through the power of the Cross of Christ, we are free from sin and condemnation by the law. Romans 6:18. However, the Cross of Christ’s power does not exempt us from the moral requirements embodied in the universal Law of selfless love. Throughout history, God had a faithful remnant like the one in the Assembly in Sardis. God’s remnant always does the works of God. The works of God are the righteous works. No other work, no matter how noble and good, fits into the category of righteous works. “So then said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires – to believe in one whom he sent.” John 6:28 – 29, NET.
The people asked Jesus about works in the plural. They were thinking of endless things they must do. However, Jesu answered in the singular “work” that God requires. There is only one thing we can do that is acceptable to God. The newborn believers, who died to themselves, do the work God requires through their new nature in Jesus Christ. Our works of the law, proper behavior and habits and impressive knowledge of the Scriptures do not contribute to our righteousness; they testify to it. We must trust God and Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ only is our righteousness. Jesus is our righteousness from God. Therefore, yielded believers, the committed Christians, would never soil their white clothing of Christ’s righteousness by adding to it the good works of law performed in the flesh.
God does not require that believers fully understand every detail concerning what he accomplished on our behalf through the body of Jesus Christ on the Golgotha. But God requires that believers trust him and Jesus Christ and believe that when he proclaimed on the cross, “It is finished,” that it is finished forever. The salvation of humankind was finished on the cross at Golgotha during the three hours of darkness. Like the remnant in Thyatira, the believers who did not accept Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess and her teachings but did not understand the details concerning Jesus, do not have to be wary. Jesus has assuring advice. “But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching, to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you. However, hold on to what you have until I come.” Revelation 2:24 – 25, NET. The most important thing the yielded believers should do is hold onto Jesus Christ. He is the only way.
Pride and self-deception. Read the next blog.
