Smart Mirrors

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:13

Soon we’ll not have to try on clothes before buying them. Technology wizards have created a kind of “smart mirror.” As shoppers stand in front of a smart mirror, computer images will “dress” them in clothes hanging on nearby racks.

Think of Revelation 2 and 3 as God’s smart mirror for the church. These chapters contain seven mini-epistles to seven different congregations in Asia (Turkey). Their messages are perennial to the church. Every age contains churches resembling these seven. And in every church are Christians who resemble the ones in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and/or Laodicea.

It’s both convicting and edifying to read these passages, and to study them as if looking in a mirror. All summed up, they tell us to be heartily passionate, doctrinally sound, and zealously working for the Lord Jesus, for He is represented through us, His candlesticks (Matthew 5:14-16, KJV). Any failures should be confessed. All sins should be repented. All passion should be directed to Him.

Are you looking in the smart mirror of God’s Word?

Many Christians are like radio or television sets which are tuned in but not turned on. One of our biggest needs today is that those who have “ears to hear” shall practice “listening in” again to the Spirit.

J. SIDLOW BAXTER^a