Steadfast and Surrendered

by Fred Alcain on August 28, 2026

SCRIPTURE:

“‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:19-20

 

OBSERVATION:

As John writes to the church of Thyatira, he first commends them, for their current works exceed those of when they first started. He affirms their love, faith and endurance…then BAM!!! He convicts them for tolerating a false prophet.

What does it mean to tolerate? In practical terms, it means I accept something as “it is what it is.”

For the church of Thyatira, although they were doing well, they were tolerating unrighteous and unrepentant behavior. In tolerating their Jezebel, they risked receiving the full blessings of the Lord. They turned a blind eye and did nothing when sin was evident. They were blind to the consequence of their tolerance.

APPLICATION:

In my life, family and ministry I need to remain steadfast in my beliefs, integrity and character. Once I begin to tolerate behavior and actions outside of Christlikeness, I risk walking out of the light and into darkness.

So, how do I create and instill a steadfast integrity that doesn’t tolerate? How do I build my character in order to stay surrendered to Christ? One would think those are two polar opposites, steadfast and surrendered. But in reality those need to be the positions of my mind and heart.

I do this by:

  1. Having a complete devotion to God and His word. By staying in the Word I begin to “think as He thinks and act as He acts.”
  2. Knowing my 5%. I need to stay firm and dedicated to what God has called me, and only me, to do.
  3. Being accountable. Only through a genuine repentance and honest accountability will I dig and mine out the dark areas of my life that is hidden to my view.

PRAYER:

Jesus, may I not tolerate what may put me against you. I pray the words of David, “Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting.” Help me to stay steadfast and surrendered. Amen

About the Author

Fred Alcain

As the Extension Pastor at New Hope Oahu, Fred’s focus is on taking New Hope’s creative arts and musical presentations out into the community as the point of the spear of Evangelism.

On staff at New Hope since 2005, Fred also oversees and shepherds our Worship and Music teams alongside his wife, Jana. With Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Hawaiian Studies from The University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Professional Degree in Music Performance from the Los Angeles Music Academy, Fred also humbly serves on the Board of Directors at New Hope Christian School and 24/7 Danceforce.

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