July 21, 2023: Overlooking Sin

"But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality." (Revelation 2:14, ESV).

The primary message to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 is the call to love God with all our hearts. Pergamum was a church that overlooked sin and did not address it. Jesus is not OK with us overlooking sin, whether it is our own or the sin of others. Here is what he had to say in Luke, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." (Luke 17:1–2, ESV)
    
Those who cause others to sin are in grave danger! But remember, Jesus is addressing the Pergamum church because she was aware of what was happening but 'turned a blind eye.' Pergamum was letting false doctrines deceive and lead people away into sin. Therefore, Jesus was bringing correction to their compromise.

Jesus loves His bride, the church! He is passionate about her and unwilling to turn a blind eye to the defilers in their midst. The church that ignores sin is not loving well