"…you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
Have kept my Word ”“ this is more then a knowledge one puts within their head. It is more then knowing. It describes action, but how do we keep Christ’s Word with actions?
Firstly, we must be born again! We cannot move on with God in relationship unless first we are born anew, regenerated. Why because…
"…those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, [The Holy Spirit] the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God [The Holy Spirit] dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit [The Holy Spirit] of Him [God the Father] who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He [God the Father] who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [The Holy Spirit] who dwells in you.” Romans 8:9-11
[The Pharisees, the religious] "…examine the Scriptures because [they] think that in them [they] have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me…” John 5:39 Testify of a real relationship with Jesus that surpasses earthly knowledge.
Regeneration, being born again, a new creation, means being changed inwardly. This comes about through repentance and true belief in Christ Jesus. We must believe that He really is who He says HE is and that He really gives to those who ask, before we can walk as the church of Philadelphia did in His sight! God’s Word must be looked on in a different view that only the Holy Spirit can provide. Many have made God’s Word a dead book, with head knowledge the ultimate source of its power, denying the personal relationship with God it points too. To these, it is merely a set of doctrines to continually memorize without experience of His presence, without direction of said scripture through the Spirit, and without a true living relationship with Him.
It is through such a view Paul rebukes, "….realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7
Without regeneration, we cannot even begin to follow Christ. A head knowledge while unregenerate, thus dead to Christ, only can produce dead works, thorns, and sins of all assortments. It is completely opposed to the new birth, which from its start brings forth a relationship to be walked in even as infants with Christ in us, producing good works, fruit, and righteousness of all sorts, which continues to grow as we mature in Him.
The Bible, through the Holy Spirit, reveals a much different view to those who "as little children come to Christ.” Through the Spirit, a living vibrant relationship is born with Him Who was, is, and will always be! Most of the Pharisees missed this relationship.
One must come to Christ in faith, bearing repentance in confession before Him, and wait there until He renews you, and puts His Spirit, the very Holy Spirit promised by God the Father within you. (see Acts 3:33, 3:38-39)
Until this relationship occurs one cannot, and will not truly move on with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. For it is impossible for flesh to move forward with God, even with a great head knowledge concerning His Word.
"At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants.” Matthew 11:25
In the church in Philadelphia’s relationship with God, they were being obedient day by day concerning what was taught within the old testament, the Apostles, and through submission to what the Holy Spirit was telling them to do. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…”, Ephesians 4:30 but submit to Him, knowing His direction comes straight from your Head Jesus Christ and God the Father.
"The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” John 14:21
The above scripture speaks of a real relationship with Jesus. That surpasses a head knowledge, and goes straight into communion with Him, through the Holy Spirit.
There is coming a time within America that those without God’s Holy Spirit will persecute those with God’s Spirit in a way and depth we have not seen.
"Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie””I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.” Rev 3:9
What is the difference between those who claim Christ?
Those in Christ:
"…we [the Apostles] are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:32
Those religious, but not in Christ:
"But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public prison.” Acts 5:17-18
Hence here the religious were filled with Jealousy. While those being obedient to God, through Christ Jesus commands were given the Holy Spirit.
Those in Christ:
"…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 Those in Christ are growing in these fruits through the sanctification by the Word of God through the Holy Spirit’s teaching and direction.
Those religious, but not in Christ:
"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these…” Gal 5:19-21b Those who do not really have a relationship with Christ, cannot receive the Holy Spirit so they cannot grow in true understanding of His word or sanctification.
What is the difference between those who merely claim Christ Jesus and those who actually know Him? What makes some just religious and others true disciples of Christ?
John the Baptist called all to repentance including the religious [and Pharisees!] We find within the gospels that the majority of the religious did not repent, and due to this, again due to this they could not accept Christ, nor His message. Without repentance and turning to Christ one cannot move on with God!
Peter said long ago, "repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 Without a true turning to Christ in repentance and faith, none will receive the Holy Spirit. He is a gift to those who turn to Christ in obedience.
So, we have the religious claiming Christ and those truly in Christ at this time. The wheat and tares are growing together. Both are working for a kingdom. One sect is building their kingdom within the world; the other is guided by the Holy Spirit working within the kingdom of God. Both claim the Bible as their source.... (Deleted this part feeling led by the Spirit to do so.)
"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God…” Romans 8:16 This is personal, this is inward, this is a relationship. Like two friends sitting and talking, but it is deeper, because He lives within us. This testifying can only be known through experiencing it with Him living within you. It’s that simple. This is to be examined away from everyone and everything else. Is He within you?
If, you, dear reader, upon honest self-examination, find yourself in the company of those who merely claim Christ, but do not actually know him, take heart! You need not remain as such, for there is hope in the finished work of Jesus. His sacrifice is given for all, even the Religious and the Pharisee. The key, repentance and turning to Jesus in true faith, and the by product of this transaction is receiving the Holy Spirit to come live within you! If this is not done, I warn you, you will find out that you were "fighting against God,” and squandered the mercy, compassion, and long suffering God has blessed you with. Look to the example of the Apostle Paul! What better example for one with vast knowledge of the scriptures already, but devoid of a real relationship with God through Christ Jesus connected by the Holy Spirit!
"Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9
Knowing Pauls’ history, we should better grasp the weight of this next verse. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you””unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Cor 13:5
Now is the time to take the test dear reader. Do you currently have a real breathing relationship with Christ through His Holy Spirit? You see a real relationship with Christ transcends the scriptures’ that speak of Him. This church in Philadelphia had such a relationship with Jesus through His Holy Spirit. They didn’t have a lot of power, but they were actively obeying Christs’ directions, and the Holy Spirit who lived within them.
"I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Rev 3:8
God knows you down to the last string of hair on your head. He knows your deeds as well. Do you really have a relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit or are you caught up in dead religion?