God has been helping me to realize, again, that I am weak. I am unable, on my own, to do the things that need to be done, such as loving my neighbours and sharing the gospel. I may find myself in various situations and circumstances where I need to bring the life and light of Jesus. However, on my own, I can't. I need help, I am weak. In addition to my weakness I have a natural tendency towards sin and rebellion. God has also shown me that my heart grows dull very, very quickly! LORD have mercy!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3
"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10
When Jesus sent a letter, through the Apostle John, to the church in Laodicea, it was because of his love. He wanted them to know the truth. They believed all was well. However, it was very important to Jesus that they should know they were not doing as well as they thought.
"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 yourselves and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see." Revelation 3:17-18
Are these words harsh? I believe that these are words of life. It is not the healthy who need a doctor but those who are sick. If anyone would follow Jesus Christ as LORD they must first acknowledge the wickedness of their sins against God. They must acknowledge that they cannot save themselves. And this doesn't change no matter how long we have been saved. We will always be weak and needy this side of eternity. By the grace of God we walk in victory, in the light. But may we never assume we can stop turning away from our sins because we repented once in the past!
What would Jesus say to us today if he were to right another letter to our churches? I think it would be very similar to what we already find in the Bible, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!" "If anyone would enter the kingdom of God they must be born again." "Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven."
I am grateful to God for his mercy in allowing me to see my desperate need for him everyday, and I am grateful for his grace to turn away from my sins everyday. Amen, Hallelujah.
