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 Ecris à l'ange de l'Eglise de Sardes: Voici ce que dit celui qui a les sept esprits de Dieu et les sept étoiles: Je connais tes œuvres. Je sais que tu passes pour être vivant, et tu es mort.