The temptation is to compile a list of characteristics describing “alive” and “dead,” respectively, measure up your church to that list and then set about making your church (more) “alive” according to the characteristics you have compiled. The problem is that the Lord Jesus Christ did not provide the church of Sardis with a list. And since I’m a sinful man it’s very tempting for me to choose characteristics of “alive” and “dead” that will result in forming a church after my personal preferences. Besides, if I make a list I can then check the boxes of external criteria without having penetrated to questions of the heart.
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.