Embracing Uncompromsing Commitment

Scripture

Revelation 2:12–17 KJV 1900

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Have you ever driven behind someone who wasn’t quite sure which highway lane they wanted to use? Sometimes they stayed in your lane, but then they’d shift to another one. Sometimes, at least for a few seconds, they’d straddle two lanes. To say this person was indecisive would be an understatement.

You need to know two things in a situation like that. The first—obviously—is that the driver is confused. The second is that everyone behind them is now confused. Whenever someone is unstable about which “lane” to take in life, they inevitably create instability for others as well.

But what does this have to do with the church in Pergamum? Well, they had a commitment problem too. But first let’s look at the environment in which they lived.

Through the angel commissioned to communicate His message, Jesus told the church, “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is” (Revelation 2:13). Pergamum was the capital of the satanic. And as you may recall, the church of Smyrna had similar surroundings, said to be dwelling in the synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9). But here Jesus takes it a step further. He states that Pergamum is smack-dab in the center of Satan’s throne room itself. They’re in a dire predicament.

Then Jesus follows with a message about overcoming—about how to live above the culture, chaos, and quagmire around them: “You hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” (verse 13). Jesus is saying the key to experiencing eternal victory in the midst of an earthly experience that’s not so ideal comes in one word: commitment. And not just commitment, but uncompromising commitment. He’s saying if the people of the church in Pergamum want to overcome, they must be uncompromising Christians. Because compromise and commitment cannot coincide.

This is similar to the confused driver I mentioned earlier. Drivers can’t commit to a certain lane while simultaneously compromising on which lane to use. It has to be one or the other. The two are mutually exclusive. And Jesus says uncompromising commitment must be the goal, especially for those surrounded by an enormous amount of compromise.

Let’s look at these areas.

THE LACK OF COMMITMENT

MISUNDERSTANDING AND MISUSING GRACE

THE COST OF COMPROMISE

THE NEED TO REPENT

MISSING THE MANNA