Just Over Youth ministry
Elder's Corner
We need TRUTH not false security by: James Farmer
Laodicea was on of the seven churches in Asia. This is also the last of the seven church ages (dispensations) and it represents the time in which we know live. The church of Laodicea was a lukewarm, self-satisfied church, which had been lulled to sleep by the acquiring of material possessions. It was rich and had increased in earthly goods, and said I have need of nothing. They worshipped the things that they had gathered to themselves such as Gold, silver, costly array and they took pleasure in these rather than in God! They became so wrapped up in the pleasure of earthly treasure that they left off doing the things the Lord intended them to do.
This was a church that apparently was once on fire for God, but when they began to prosper, they let the spiritual fire die down and began doing things that were not profitable spiritually. They became lukewarm and were satisfied and content in this condition. God said he would rather we be hot or cold; when we are hot, we are on fire for God and doing our best to please him. If we are cold, we know our condition and may seek after a renewal in God and begin to walk again with him. But when a man becomes lukewarm, he thinks or rationalizes within himself that he is doing right even though he has put on the filthy rags of self-righteousness. This displeases God and he will spew that person out of his mouth.
The Laodicean church didn’t realize the condition they were in there eyes spiritually had been matted together as they became at ease in Zion and were in great need of having their eyes anointed with spiritual eye salve for they were blinded to the condition they had fallen into, not realizing they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. They were in this state because a void and longing had formed within that only God could fill. They were poor because the riches they had amassed were temporal and could not last. They had traded the eternal treasure of heaven for the things that moth and rust could destroy and thieves would steal. They were naked because they had discarded their white robes of righteousness in favor of earthly garments of silk adorned with their gold and gems. When they need the pure gold of divine council that had been tried by fire!
God knew their works and commanded John to write to the church of Laodicea, that they might repent. This was written not only for Laodiceans, but also for us that we might not error as they did.
Saints, we are going forward in God, he has prospered us in many ways and most of all he is blessing us with spiritual maturity. Let us continue to heed God’s word, for we are in the Laodiceans dispensation of time and we must not allow the spirit of Laodiciea to affect us. Constant prayer and worship will help us realize we are in need of much and if we turn away from God we will have nothing. Let us continue to anoint our eyes with spiritual eye salve so that our spiritual vision is not marred. We must keep our robes of righteousness spotless, lets keep our spiritual ears tune to the calling go God. Only we who have our spiritual ears set toward heaven will hear the trump of God when it is sounded.
This spirit of deception has not affected us that remain as a member of the body of Christ, but we need to stay sensitive to our calling so that we won’t be taken unawares as some already have. There are some today that once were on fire for God and walked in the Light of his Glorious Gospel, but are now at ease, slumbering in the spirit of Lasodicea about to be spewed out. Lets pray for these with fervency, that they may awaken and be restored before it is too late. As we pray lets remember to seek a greater awareness of the things the Lord has warned us to shun away from. Pray, as we read his word and follow him with Love unfeigned we will be ready for the sound of the Last Trump!