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March 27, 2023

Pergamum and the Problem of Compromise

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

(You can now listen to today’s MY Devotional on Leading The Way’s daily devotional podcast!)

Read Revelation 2:12-17.

From the outside, the church at Pergamum looked like a solid and successful congregation. In today’s terms, it was like a fast-growing megachurch that every young pastor wants to lead. But on the inside, something was rotten. The people’s tolerance of sin and their acceptance of sexual immorality was destroying them from the inside out. These problems affected not just the membership but also the leadership.

To be clear, the Christians at Pergamum did not deny the virgin birth or the resurrection of Christ or any of the other great doctrines of the church. They were orthodox in their theology, and they attracted lots of members. But tragically, they winked at sin and accepted it as an alternative lifestyle.

If you look at our culture today, things are similarly falling apart. We see the symptoms all around us, but there is one root cause: The people of God wink at sin, tolerate it, and even celebrate it. It’s no wonder that these sins are impacting us in every area of our society. Let’s not point our finger at our pagan culture until we point the finger at ourselves.

To the Christians in Pergamum, and to us today, Jesus says, “Repent!” When it comes to sinful behavior, it does not work to discuss it, explain it away, or rationalize it. The only remedy is to repent of it. Sin always has consequences, but the gracious, merciful King Jesus invites us to let go of every wicked thing and turn completely to Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your tremendous grace. May we, as Your people, turn away from sin and call one another to sincere repentance, that we might experience the glory of a life of holiness. Jesus, You are my righteousness, and I want to live for You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Letters from Jesus, Part 4: WATCH NOW

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazinesolar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.

Contact Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

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