Accountable

In His message to the church in Thyatira, Jesus pictured Himself in purity and power, with “eyes like a flame of fire” and feet “like burnished bronze” (v. 18). He reminded believers that He knew everything about them.

Jesus knew the praiseworthy things, like their “love and faith and service and patient endurance” (v. 19). But Jesus also knew that they tolerated those who were deceiving His people “to practice sexual immorality” (v.20). Through their tolerance, these believers actually were spreading false ideas and encouraging deceptive practices. And they would share in the judgment against those who taught deception and immorality unless they repented.

In the end, everyone would know “that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works” (v. 23). Each of us is responsible for our own actions and our associations.

There were no excuses for the church in Thyatira, and they could not blame anyone else. For Jesus knew the truth about them – what they had done as well their thoughts and attitudes. They would receive the consequences directly appropriate for their actions. For Jesus would “give to each of [them] according to [their] works.”

Think about your life, what you do and say, your thoughts, and what you tolerate. Remember, Jesus knows everything about you, and you will be rewarded according to what you have said and done and your associations.