Hard words from the Life-giver

​"...I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." -Revelation 3:1

These are hard words for us to hear from our Lord. They are hard to swallow, and can leave a bitter taste in our mouth. However, we know that He is a true and faithful witness.  His words are not intended to wound, but words like these certainly leave a mark, as they should.  He loves us as a Father. He loves His church like an expectant groom. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful -- open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed." (Proverbs 27:5&6) Our Lord warns us, and corrects our course because His desire is for our eternal souls. Who better to give life to a dead, false, or fraudulent church then THE life-giver, conquerer of death - Jesus Christ. Hear and obey, church.