Revelation 3:8; Thou Hast Kept My Word

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Why did God set an open door for the church in Philadelphia? 

“for.. thou..hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

“Thou hast kept my word”. The second mark of a thriving church. Her obedience to Christ. The believers at Philadelphia were also marked by obedience. 

Despite all the temptations and gross pageantry that surrounds this church. They kept Christ’s words, speaking of their obedience and submission.

John 14:23 Jesus said, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

As the Apostle Paul would put in Romans 8:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

This is the life of yielding, cleaving, leaning, and blessing. They were bound to Scripture. They will not deviate from it. This is the joy of everyone that preaches the Word of God, nothing is more encouraging than to have people who will hear it and obey it. Amen.