2008-06-24 - Laodicea

Part 3

Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV) And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The gold of our good works originate with him. Serving him makes us rich. Notice that we are dressed in white garments. This makes me think of a later passage in Revelation where the great army of God is all dressed in white except for our King - Jesus who is dressed in a robe that is red with blood. (Revelation 19:11-16)

It is a privilege that God allows us to serve in his army. He could have just used the angels but he chose to give humans the opportunity to serve him. Serving God isn't something we have to do. He would accomplish his will with or without us; rather, he allows us to have a small hand in it. That's really an incredible thought if you'll wrap your mind around it.

Also, notice that he will correct us when we err. It is not because he is Zeus sitting on high waiting for us to screw up because he likes those lightning bolts but rather it's because like a loving father he wants to keep us safe and that means setting up boundaries. I get onto my oldest when he runs out into the street with out looking or when he wanders off without telling us where he is going. I am not out to ruin his life but to preserve it and so is our Father in heaven.

God loves us. He protects us and gives to us his blessings enabling us to serve him.

IHFHBOH
Adam

adam@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

All scripture references from KJV unless otherwise noted