In today’s world, it is possible to deceive everyone around us that we are spiritually alive when we are actually spiritually dead. This is what I perceive the Holy Spirit is referring to as the Sardis Church Syndrome. This syndrome manifests wherever outward appearances, religious activities, and human evaluations mask the true state of our relationship with God.
In Revelation 3:1, God’s diagnostic x-ray machine uncovered several symptoms of the Sardis Church Syndrome among the congregants in the Sardis City Church. The congregation in Sardis Church (Parish/Area/Zonal/Provincial/Regional Headquarter) appeared extremely vibrant and alive whereas they were spiritually dead. They had a reputation for being active and full of life, but inwardly they were disconnected from their source and anchor - God. They placed more emphasis on activities than on spirituality. They value collection more than connection. It appears many good things were happening on every side for them but in the real sense, nothing was actually happening from the stand point of God. They were growing numerically and financially but they were marching backward spiritually on the wheel of Ichabor. What a paradox!
Unfortunately, many of those deadly Sardis Church Syndrome that the Holy Spirit diagnosed in Chapter 3 of Revelation are still being displayed by many believers in the church today. Many people still believe that their spiritual life can be evaluated or assessed solely on their outward appearances, activities or expression of faith like church attendance, church activities, financial commitment or good deeds. They seem not to understand that these things alone don’t guarantee a vibrant walk or relationship with God. According to Matthew 7:21-23, it is possible for someone who performs religious activities like preaching, singing, prophesying, casting out demons and doing miracles, to still be far from God’s will. This scripture clearly buttresses the fact that outward success and religious activity do not automatically indicate that we are in right standing with God. Therefore, it is wrong to rely on our perceived good performances, excellent deeds, humans' applause and accolade, level of involvement in church activities, or spiritual gifts as a sign of being in God’s favour. The truth is that true spiritual life is only found in doing the will of God at all times not occasionally. Unlike man, God does not look at what others see; He examines the heart not the height (1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17:10).
Beloved, please take a moment today to carefully reflect on your spiritual life or walk with God. Are you truly aligned with God’s will, or are you merely going through the motions? Are there any symptoms of the Sardis Church Syndrome in your walk with God? Are you truly who you claim to be, or are you one of those green snakes under the grass in the Kingdom? Please surrender yourself to God’s diagnostic x-ray machine of mercy and grace today before it will be too late.
This hymn below re-echoes the need to eliminate every Sardis Church Syndrome by seeking a closer and genuine walk with God till our chapter on earth is finally closed (Rev 3:4):
O FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD By William Cowper, 1772
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus, and His Word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
May God help us to eliminate every Sardis Church Syndrome in our walk with Him and bring us back to the centre of His will, never to go astray again. And may our walk with God be truly close and genuine till we finish our journey on earth in Jesus’ name, Amen.
On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the July 2025 Holy Ghost Service. Theme: DESTINED FOR GREATNESS (Part 3) Subtitled: HELPERS OF DESTINY. Date: 4th July, 2025. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State. Time: 6pm (WAT).
Happy new month, Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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