Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked?
In the book of Revelations we read,
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelations 3:14-21.
The Laodicean church was according to Jesus lukewarm. He tells them He wished that they were one or the other. You never really know what a lukewarm person truly believes.
The Laodiceans however think they are rich. When in fact they are poor.
Jesus tells them to turn to Him and buy from him gold refined in the fire, white robes the symbol of holiness. He calls them to put salve on their eyes so they can truly see what is of God.
He calls them to repent. Telling them that he rebukes and disciplines those He loves.
He reminds them that He is knocking at the door of their heart. That if they will only hear Him and open that door He will come into their life.
Today we have many Churches, evangelist and pastors who think they are rich, and many in a material sense are rich but that is not what God wants. Because many who are rich in a material sense do not rely on God.
Matthew records Jesus as saying,
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24.
Additionally there is a false doctrine that is here in North America where I live that states if you are not materially rich you are doing something wrong. The so called prosperity doctrine.
Such teaching is wrong.
We as believers in the twenty-first century need to look at our life. We need to ask ourselves am I a lukewarm believer. Or am I on fire for God.
Am I rich spiritually in Christ Jesus, or am I “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.
Where do you stand?
Please think about it.
