All through my life, I always aspired to be above average. Whatever I put my mind to doing I wanted to be the best I could be. Whether it was my art work, which apparently was above average, but it never got me anywhere. I also took pride in being an above average photographer. I take some pretty awesome pictures but it never went any farther than just having an artistic eye. I decided to be a great scuba diver. I passed my written exams and my open water dives with ease. But I never would've dove without an experienced diver with me. So all the things I've ever accomplished in my life kind of fizzled out. Even my first marriage deteriorated after 25 years. But my walk with the Lord is the one thing I'm determined to stick with, grow stronger in and more knowledgable of each and every day. There is always something new to learn and so I have become an avid student of the Word. I don't want to just "get by" on this one. This is the most important decision I will ever make. You also have the same choice to make. Jesus warns us about being luke warm. How will He see your walk with Him? Revelation chapter 3 talks about one of the seven churches that Christ addresses. This particular one is Laodicea. Geographically, this church sat in the valley between the mountains on either side. The water that ran down into it's aquaducts from one mountain was cold spring water. On the other side, the water that ran down into the aqua ducts was hot spring water, and when it mixed it became luke warm. In spiritual terms, lukewarm means stagnant. It doesn't flow and after sitting in stillness, it decays. This is the picture of the spiritual condition that Jesus was warning the Laodiceans about. If you're hot or cold, that means at least your moving in some kind of direction and making some kind of progress. Lets' see how Jesus brings their spiritual condition to their attention. "And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginnning and Author of God's creation." Rev. 3:14 (Amplified) Christ is addressing this particular church and establishing Himself. The words of the Amen are the last and final words. He is the Beginning and the End of creation. He is the One true Witness Who can claim what He says to be true in every respect. These are His titles, and that settles everything. Now He continues to say this: "I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!" Rev. 3:15 (Amplified) He was saying that they had just stood still in their spiritual walk. Their duties to God were stagnant. No longer were they on fire for Him. They lost their focus on the true meaning of their relationship with their God. They only cared how they looked from the outside. Do you know of any Christians like this today? Tell them about God's warning if they have lost their perspective on their spiritual journey and meaning of their relationship in Christ. "So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!" Rev. 3:16 (Amplified) Jesus is not mixing words to help people manage their sins, He is telling them just like it is. In other words, He is telling them, they literally make Him sick to His stomach and He will vomit them out. I just can't bare the thought of leaving a putrid taste in my Lord's mouth. What had they done that was so horrible? "For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grow wealthy and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Rev. 3:17 (Amplified) Many Christians today think of themselves as being better than others. They are so successful that they don't need anything, including God! They just don't understand that everything depends and relies upon God. He doesn't just bless rich people. He blesses all people and they become rich in spirit. People who flaunt their wealth are considered to be poor and wretched, and blind (to the truth) and naked because they have no spirtual covering. All their clothes are spotted and covered in sin, no matter how many times they were washed. "Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see." Rev. 3:18 (Amplified) Jesus is telling them to stop shopping at the wrong stores. The world tries to sell us the best, but it's nothing but cheap imitations at best. God doesn't give us cheap knock-offs. The refined gold is our times through the fire. When we have baked long enough we will reflect God's glory in our lives. Our true wealth is our salvation, we become washed white as snow. Remember Christ is returning for His Bride without spot, blemish or wrinkle. This is only accomplished through Him. He will cover us with God's Spirit of Truth, Righteousness, Glory, Holiness and Grace. We will no longer be exposed to the things of this world and contaminated by it. His living Word will allow us to see ourselves as God sees us. Ask yourself this question, "How does God see you right now?" "Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]." Rev. 3:19 (Amplified) If Jesus didn't love us so much He wouldn't bother telling us these things which are for our own good. First He convicts us. The Holy Spirit within us will let us know we are grieving Him convince us to repent. He corrects us like any good parent would do. We should come to the throne of grace with such gratitude that we can be forgiven. How do we know that we need to be forgiven? Christ says it like this: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me." Rev. 3:20 (Amplified) First of all, if someone is standing outside knocking, it means they want to come in. If Jesus isn't already dining with you then He is asking if He can. If you hear Him knocking at your door, He will come into your heart when you tell Him you have sinned and ask to be forgiven. When you make Him Lord and Savior over your life you will never find yourself dining alone. This is being a victorious Christian. "He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne." Rev. 3:21 (Amplified) Just think, receiving Christ will make us kings among men. We are God's heirs, entitled to all His riches in Christ Jesus. We will lack for nothing. "He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies of the church." Rev. 3:22 (Amplified) So in hearing what Christ is saying to us, we must also be listening as well. Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Me, Jesus. Can I come in?
The answer is up to you. |
