“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.” Revelation 3:17
Jesus had some harsh words for the church in Laodicea. They were just going through the motions of serving Him. They were not really for Him or against Him very much. They were content with where they were. Having everything they needed, they felt that they did not need anything more. Yet, Jesus says they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Having all of a person’s needs met can often cause them to lose focus on their need for God. People are often lulled into a false satisfaction that everything is going great and they don’t need any more, that they have finally arrived. The appearance of wealth gives a false security.
When things are going great for people in a church, many start to think that they did it themselves and really don’t need God. They slow down or stop praying and reading the Bible. They start to focus on what they have accomplished, rather than what God has done in and through them.
Take a look back on your life. Where did God call you from? At some point you were a sinner who rejected God and had nothing to do with Him. At that point you deserved death. Yet, God, in His great love and mercy, loved you, called you and forgave you of your sins.
Although you have been cleaned up by Jesus and are now a child of God, without Jesus you are nothing. As soon as you take your eyes off of Jesus you become just like the Laodicea church. As soon as you think you have “arrived” you have taken your eyes off of Jesus and become blind.
Do not let yourself be led into false security. Keep your spiritual eyes open to who you really are and what Jesus is doing for you. It is because of Jesus that you are where you are today, not because of yourself.
I pray today that God will open your eyes to see what He has done for you; that you will not think you have done everything in your own power; that you will keep your eyes focused on Jesus; that you will trust God for everything; and that God will help you keep from being blind and wretched.
“It is because of Jesus that you are where you are today” I hope I remember to express this in every piece I write, because it is the Gospel truth, pun intended. The piece I am posting today has to do with being aware of Jesus’ presence. I hope you like it, too.
Thank you. May God give you wisdom and direction in your posts. I will check your posts out.