Good show, deadly finale

Many of us, especially those of us with a more-or-less high profile in faith communities, appear to be pretty faithful Christians (not that there's anything wrong with that).

The tricky part is that our externals - our words, deeds, and surface lifestyle - can give others the idea that we are perfect and holier-than-thou, while in fact we are sinners.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me - a sinner.

Worst of all, we might even fool ourselves, but there is no fooling God.

What the Spirit says to the churches in today's first reading (from Revelation 3) is thus said also to us:

I know thy works,
that thou hast a name that thou livest,
and art dead.

Be watchful,
and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die:
for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Remember therefore
how thou hast received and heard,
and hold fast,
and repent.

If therefore thou shalt not watch,
I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee….

Thou sayest, I am rich,
and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable,
and poor,
and blind,
and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:
be zealous therefore,
and repent.

Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne.

He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Showing our faith by our words, deeds, and lifestyle is good and necessary.

But what is even more necessary is for us to realize continuously that we are sinners, that we have still more need of repentence, and that we are absolutely dependent upon the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Through Christ, we have life.

Without Christ, there is only death.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me - a sinner.