Have you ever quit a job because your boss wanted you do something or they did something that was against your faith values and morals? I have — twice. Furthermore, I’ve fired clients who wanted me to market something in ways that just didn’t sit right with me or were offensive to me. I stood my ground and God provided.
Choosing Faith Values Over a Job
The first one was in Miami. I was selling advertising for an entertainment weekly newspaper in the early 90s. I worked hard to help elevate the publication’s readership and circulation. The owner and publisher sold the covers as an advertorial — a paid advertisement featuring a business. At that time, he charged $850. We had really nice restaurants and hotels featured each week. I had the pleasure of writing a lot of those articles.
One day, he wants to put a strip club on the cover. I tried to talk him out of it, but that $850 was too good to pass up. I quit. I wasn’t in a very good economic position. Quitting was not something I wanted to do, but I had to do it.
The 2nd time was my first job after I moved to Phoenix in 2005. The only job I could get — and was good at — was selling cars. Being Spanish bilingual, my translation services were needed often and I got part of the deal for helping out. I was making good money. The problem was that being one of 3 Spanish-speaking employees in the showroom, I had to answer the phone when a Spanish-speaking person called about an advertised used car.
They wanted me to lie to the person on the phone and tell them that the vehicle they were interested in was still in the showroom even though it had been sold. I refused, so I quit.
These stories tie in to the letter from Jesus to the next church in Revelation, Thyatira.
This video from “Prophetic Gallery Series” in the Bible App, explains what that church was going through…
Jesus’ letter to the Church in Thyatira
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
“Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Revelation 2:18-29
Who was Jezebel?
The name should sound familiar as it’s used to describe a bad woman — to put it mildly. We first meet Jezebel in 1 Kings 16 when she marries King Ahab of Israel. I’ll let you read it for yourself here.
Jesus is the Judge and Purifier of Sin
I love how Jesus describes himself: “the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze”. This means he…
- Exposes sin
- Judges sin
- Purifies His people
This church is doing well and improving! But, of course, Jesus has a complaint against them. If you watch the video, you’ll understand the predicament that the Christians of Thyatira were in. They either had to worship Apollo during the festivals (Related: So Many gods) or stand on their faith and lose their livelihoods. That’s tough — I know.
Jesus Sees What You Do
Are you choosing culture and worldly pursuits over your Christian faith, values and morals?
“Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”
Revelation 2:23
Catholics, do you think that just because you go to confession on Saturday and a human priest says that your sins are absolved because you said some penance prayers, that it’s OK to sin during the week?
NO! It’s not! A sin is a sin, is a sin! People who continue sinning go to hell. That’s the truth. And there’s no such thing as Purgatory!
If Purgatory exists, then Jesus suffered and sacrificed His life and died for nothing!
It’s Your Choice…
It should be a no-brainer!
Keep living your sinful life with a false sense of salvation…
or…
…know, for a fact in your heart, that you have a secure, guaranteed, 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven! This is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I will follow you for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Next Steps in Your New Walk with Jesus…
- Start reading the Bible daily to get to know God. If you don’t have one, I recommend the YouVersion, Bible.app and Through the Word app — both are free and have a lot of great Bible studies.
- Pray every day. Talk to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you daily.
- Find and join a Bible-believing church — preferably a non-denominational one and be baptized!
The 5 Solas
- Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
- Sola Fide (“Faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
- Sola Gratia (“Grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
- Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and King
- Soli Deo Gloria (“to God alone be the Glory.”): It’s all about God, not us.
