WORD From The Woods
Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The church in Laodicea was the last of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. It was the last and maybe the least because it’s the only one that Jesus didn’t commend in any way. The entire message to them was one of rebuke. The sad and scary part is that, the problems that Jesus identified with the Laodiceans are some of the biggest problems facing the church in America today. The people of Laodicea were wealthy, self-made men. They were prosperous and in need of nothing, they were “blessed” in a worldly sense. They had all they needed physically and financially. But spiritually, they were wretched, naked, blind and poor! They may have thought that being “blessed” in this world meant they were on the right track with God, and that somehow they could buy a place in eternity. Jesus challenged them to buy gold from him that they may be rich, white garments that they may cover their shame, and salve to anoint their eyes. Jesus wasn’t talking about literal gold and clothing, this is a clear reference to the salvation and righteousness that only Jesus Christ can offer through His sacrifice on the cross! I see these same problems everywhere in our culture today, especially in the timber industry. It takes a tremendous amount of money to run a logging company these days. It’s a real “feast or famine” business. Lots of loggers have done very well and lot of them have hit rock bottom financially, most have been in both places at some point. With the incredibly high cost of machinery these days, millions of dollars per year move though a company’s hands. It’s so easy to think that having a fleet of nice equipment and a large bank account is the measure of success in this life. You can have everything you want in this world and be completely bankrupt spiritually! There is nothing wrong with money and success, and they can be a great blessing, but when it becomes the focus of our heart instead of God then it’s just sinful idolatry. Jesus said to the people of Laodicea, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
As you go out this week, examine your heart before God. Are on fire for God? Is He the focus of your heart or are you just lukewarm and focused more on the things of this life?
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The church in Laodicea was the last of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. It was the last and maybe the least because it’s the only one that Jesus didn’t commend in any way. The entire message to them was one of rebuke. The sad and scary part is that, the problems that Jesus identified with the Laodiceans are some of the biggest problems facing the church in America today. The people of Laodicea were wealthy, self-made men. They were prosperous and in need of nothing, they were “blessed” in a worldly sense. They had all they needed physically and financially. But spiritually, they were wretched, naked, blind and poor! They may have thought that being “blessed” in this world meant they were on the right track with God, and that somehow they could buy a place in eternity. Jesus challenged them to buy gold from him that they may be rich, white garments that they may cover their shame, and salve to anoint their eyes. Jesus wasn’t talking about literal gold and clothing, this is a clear reference to the salvation and righteousness that only Jesus Christ can offer through His sacrifice on the cross! I see these same problems everywhere in our culture today, especially in the timber industry. It takes a tremendous amount of money to run a logging company these days. It’s a real “feast or famine” business. Lots of loggers have done very well and lot of them have hit rock bottom financially, most have been in both places at some point. With the incredibly high cost of machinery these days, millions of dollars per year move though a company’s hands. It’s so easy to think that having a fleet of nice equipment and a large bank account is the measure of success in this life. You can have everything you want in this world and be completely bankrupt spiritually! There is nothing wrong with money and success, and they can be a great blessing, but when it becomes the focus of our heart instead of God then it’s just sinful idolatry. Jesus said to the people of Laodicea, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
As you go out this week, examine your heart before God. Are on fire for God? Is He the focus of your heart or are you just lukewarm and focused more on the things of this life?
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-