“Matching Appearance With Reality!”

“Matching Appearance With Reality!”(Rev.3:1-6).
To the church in Sardid it was written, “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God…” Reputation here is the link between appearance versus reality!
Reputation is the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. It can be argued that reputation is linked to value judgment. Value judgment itself depends on our assessment of somebody or something at face value.
Ironially things are not always the way they are. Appearance is often far from reality. We can always ask ourselves whether the reputation we are known for is what we know for ourselves to be? Apart from God only you know who you truly are!
The question therefore is, “Am I actually what I am reputed for?”
Although reputation is the opinion of others about you, it is the signals that come from you. Reputation can be good or bad, and they are transmitted from your actions, communications and relationships.
You can build or tear down your reputation. To build a good reputation as a teamleader, Chris Komisarjevsky suggests the following:
Be introspective and honest with yourself. As hard as it might be at times, think through what you did and why you did it.
Be sincere with others…Do what you say. If you commit to it, then do it. No excuses. You will be judged by your values, and you will be trusted only if you follow through…Be authentic in your professional relationships. Foster a culture of openness. Remember social media. Digital devices are today’s water cooler and people communicate the good and the bad at lightning speed. Listen first, talk second. Ask for the views of others. Accept responsibility. If you are wrong, you must apologize. Be personal. Reach out to understand and value the experiences of others. Be interested. Care about your team…
You do not only build a good reputation. ” You also have to protect it and maintain it. Check in with yourself and ask if you are consistently acting in a way that promotes a good reputation…”
Let us consider that the Church in Sardis is a denomination or a congregation, then those who lead the denomination or the congregation are the ones who represent the angel of the Church to whom the letter is being addressed.
Those who are upstream should not muddy the water, otherwise it may be difficult for any villager to have clean water.
The Church as the visible body of Christ on earth is the conscience of society, the watchdog of society. As such, she should not just have a reputation; an appearance that is devoid of reality!
The message therefore to the Church/congregation and the members who have soiled their clothes is, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent…” For if you do not the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate. He calls us to repentance as in now! Why not make that U-turn now by building a good reputation that matches appearance with reality!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit wake me up so that I can strengthen what remains in me and is about to die. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.