How many people and institutions, including churches, are like the people of Sardis? John accuses them of enjoying the reputation for being alive when in fact they are dead inside. It is so easy to go through the motions of being dedicated to God while inside something very vital is missing. The missing element is love and commitment to continually walk in God's ways. We cannot take God or our status as Christians for granted. The Bible insists that love is as love does, and the same goes for faith.

Some people or groups are easy targets for others to hate and despise. They have the wrong politics, the wrong theology of God, the wrong colour, or the wrong lifestyle. Or perhaps they have committed some serious act or crime. Whatever the cause, we cut them off and exclude them from our company, love, and kindness. Jesus had no use for this sort of attitude. He called out to Zacchaeus, who belonged to the most hated and despised groups in Israel: he was one of the traitorous and oppressive tax collectors. But Jesus looked beyond the surface into the man's heart and soul. By his acceptance and unconditional love of Zacchaeus, Jesus was able to call out the good within him and bring him back to God. We do not lose the love of God by the mistakes we make in our lives. When we exclude, judge, or hate others we also pass judement on ourselves. By practising unconditional love in the way that Jesus taught we can contribute so much to the healing of our world.