“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone, a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Rev 2:12–17)

The Pergamos church was faithful in many ways and yet there were occasions when some would hand around with the wrong crowd, the liars, deceivers, and the sexually immoral.  They might have thought it was no big deal mixing with these people, it doesn’t affect me, does it? Paul would remind them, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Gal 5:9)

Like the saints at Pergamos, we cannot be on both sides of a fence. Either we live for the Lord, or in the world, we need to choose.