Everyday Life in Revelation: Part 2 the ChurchSample

We read in the first 3 verses of chapter 3 that the reputation of the church of Sardis was that it appeared to be alive, but that did not match its true condition. In other words, this church had a nominal faith. It had failed to live up the expectations of King Jesus. 

Jesus warns them to wake up and live out the faith they professed. If not, He would come at an unexpected time to hold this church to account. This was not referring to the second judgment, but to a specific time that this local church would be held accountable for their actions. 

Nominal faith is a definite threat ever present in the church. Many profess the name of Christ, but their lives reveal that they likely do not possess faith. True faith evidences itself as we continually repent of sin and make our lives open to the leadership of King Jesus. Living in this way we need not fear a nominal Christian existence, but we will see the fruit of the Spirit increase in our lives as He changes us to be more like Christ, growing our faith as we take continual steps of trust and follow Him.