The Lord Jesus teaches us that repentance is important. We can be right in one area, and wrong in the next. We must, therefore, repent to walk acceptably. Jesus is patient, but he demands repentance.

First, the Lord has been through the fire. Revelation 2:18 — "“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like burnished bronze:" He does not speak as a God without pity and compassion. He understands what it's like to obey, and he suffered for us, so he can save. Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin."

This good and gracious God can be trusted. Turn to him in your pain, trials, and failures. Believe that he's good in his commands and promises. Believe that he will help you. He gave Himself to the cross to forgive sinners, and to give us his Spirit. Surely, he'll help us now. Brass shines brighter after burning, and the Lord Jesus is glorified with good things in his heart for repenting sinners [Rev 1:15]. He remembers his sufferings, and he's filled with love. Turn, and he won't be hard on you.

Secondly, Jesus has something against us. Revelation 2:19-20 - ""'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols." He commends our good works, but he calls out our evil, because he’s calling us to repentance. Christ sees the sins of his people, but he doesn’t condemn. He comes to correct, until he comes to judge. We can be good in one area, and yet sinful in another. We can know sovereign grace, and yet struggle with pornography, drunkenness, and losing our temper. We must not limit the Bible to commendations. Read all of his word. Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."

If we change, then all is well: the Master pardons us. If we don’t, however, then we suffer chastisement, or condemnation, according to our faith or hypocrisy. Christ is a fair and upright judge. “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” He always sees right.

Thirdly, here’s the problem: a lack of repentance. Revelation 2:21-23 - "I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works." The problem isn’t that we have sin; it is our refusal to be cleansed. It’s not that we’ve fallen, but we won't get up. Therefore, he corrects us, and tells us it’s SERIOUS. We must turn or burn.

Perseverance is in good works, not just in a part of God’s commands, but all of them. We can’t say, “I’m obedient over here, so leave me alone. It’s enough that I’m good to my wife. I pay all the bills, and she’s happy. So what, if I have another woman on the side? So what if I commit sexual immorality? I know God is sovereign.” These things are the hideousness of Satan. This false teaching calls us to compromise, and tells us that we’ll escape, but we will not.

Repentance is mandatory, without exception, and then we are safe. We can’t keep going in a known wrong, and expect the Lord’s blessing. He must chastise us as a loving Father, or condemn us with the hypocrites. Religion without repentance is worthless; it is self deception. Let us be about the gospel on God’s terms, and he will help us!

Fourthly, Christ is not a burden giver. Revelation 2:24-25 — "“I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan” ​— ​as they say ​— ​I am not putting any other burden on you. Only hold on to what you have until I come." He takes away our burdens, and gives us rest [Matthew 11:28]. He brings us sweet fellowship with God, the joy of good works, and communes with us by the Spirit. He's come to elevate us, not to degrade us. He sets the captive free [John 8:32].

Hear him, and heed, for your BEST LIFE now. Live by the gospel, and you live wisely. You're doing what’s best for your soul. The gospel is God's way of peace. Walk therein.

Fifth, Christ has a promise: he rewards us. Revelation 2:26-29 - "The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" He gives us the best that he has, which is the same inheritance that he has earned, which is to rule this world at the Judgment. The time is coming when believers will be the greatest envy, when the heavens are opened, and we see Jesus. He's coming back in clouds of glory to smash unbelievers to pieces, and every eye shall see him [Rev 1:7]. Then, they'll know that following Christ was the best and most important thing in eternity.

Understand this now. Hold on to your reward. Do not let go! God has given us the way of repentance, and he’ll meet us with sufficient strength. He’ll be faithful to his warnings, promises, and commands.