Laodicea
Maybe you didn't know this, but the Book of Colossians was written to the Church in Laodicea:
Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
Laodicea thought they were wise and wealthy, but Jesus was clear that what the world thinks is good common sense, is literally stealing the future of God's people right from underneath them.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Right now, the Church in Laodicea is bantering back and forth about things that seem right, according to the basic principles of the world...which is faithless, unbelieving, values "wisdom" and humanistic love over the prophetic, intense, and true love promised in the Bible. Laodicea is having silly distracted conversations that have no real impact on her ability to live increasingly holy...while mostly missing the greatest opportunity to partner with Jesus in the dispensing of true love that defies the basic principles of the world... preparing the world for the judgment and removal of all that opposes God and His desire to be a Father that provides true daily bread.
Revelation 3:14-19 "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.
Jesus isn't talking to unbelievers...this is the Church He is addressing.
Repent, for the kingdom is at hand...Get hot, or get spit out. Lukewarm will not pass through the next five years. The tragedy is that lukewarm is so easily corrected, if we will simply believe Jesus is the one who longs to make us burn in agreement with Him. It is as simple as laying down pride and fear and asking!!
Luke 18:18-27 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,' 'DO NOT MURDER,' 'DO NOT STEAL,' 'DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,' 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.' " 21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For 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." 26 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" 27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Breaking your ties with comfort and with wealth...which...if you live in America you are surrounded by...takes time. The rich young ruler heard Jesus' command and, because he didn't know the kindness of Jesus, imagined what was being asked of him was too hard. If he would have just said "show me how, Jesus" he would have marked the world forever like Peter, James, John and the others....but instead he is a footnote of regret forever.
You live in the hour Jesus addressed Laodicea for...for real. What will you do? Ignore the command? walk away? or reach to agree with Jesus by simply contending..."show me how, Jesus"?
Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
Laodicea thought they were wise and wealthy, but Jesus was clear that what the world thinks is good common sense, is literally stealing the future of God's people right from underneath them.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Right now, the Church in Laodicea is bantering back and forth about things that seem right, according to the basic principles of the world...which is faithless, unbelieving, values "wisdom" and humanistic love over the prophetic, intense, and true love promised in the Bible. Laodicea is having silly distracted conversations that have no real impact on her ability to live increasingly holy...while mostly missing the greatest opportunity to partner with Jesus in the dispensing of true love that defies the basic principles of the world... preparing the world for the judgment and removal of all that opposes God and His desire to be a Father that provides true daily bread.
Revelation 3:14-19 "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.
Jesus isn't talking to unbelievers...this is the Church He is addressing.
Repent, for the kingdom is at hand...Get hot, or get spit out. Lukewarm will not pass through the next five years. The tragedy is that lukewarm is so easily corrected, if we will simply believe Jesus is the one who longs to make us burn in agreement with Him. It is as simple as laying down pride and fear and asking!!
Luke 18:18-27 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,' 'DO NOT MURDER,' 'DO NOT STEAL,' 'DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,' 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.' " 21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For 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." 26 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" 27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Breaking your ties with comfort and with wealth...which...if you live in America you are surrounded by...takes time. The rich young ruler heard Jesus' command and, because he didn't know the kindness of Jesus, imagined what was being asked of him was too hard. If he would have just said "show me how, Jesus" he would have marked the world forever like Peter, James, John and the others....but instead he is a footnote of regret forever.
You live in the hour Jesus addressed Laodicea for...for real. What will you do? Ignore the command? walk away? or reach to agree with Jesus by simply contending..."show me how, Jesus"?
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