To the people of this great land who believe you’ve made it as far in life as you have without God, you are to be pitied.
To the ones who say, “Leave me alone; I don’t need anyone telling me how wrong I am…”, you are to be pitied.
Jesus told the apostle John to write this to the Laodicean church: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…’” (Revelation 3:17 NASB)
The word “miserable” means “to be pitied”. In other words, “You don’t know you are to be pitied, because you are lost in your own self effort, your own greatness, your own self sufficiency.”
Unfortunately, this describes too many of us in this land. And yes, too many within the church.
After all, why should we petition God about anything when we already have everything?
Why would we even consider joining with others in a city wide outreach, when our programs are already so effective?
And why should we give God access to our bank account? Hey, weren’t we the ones who earned the money with our own blood, sweat, and tears?
To those who have it all together, attend the perfect church, with the perfect pastor, the perfect music, and the best facilities in town…
You are to be pitied, if your trust isn’t in God.
Or, as Mr. T likes to say, “…pity the fool!”
It is foolish to think we’re wiser, stronger, and better informed than God Almighty.
It’s foolish to believe God doesn’t exist. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’…” (Psalm 14:1 NASB)
And it makes no since whatsoever to not believe in God, yet turn right around and order your life as though you ARE God.
Unfortunately, it’s not only atheists who play along with that kind of foolishness. Sometimes we in the church can act just as foolish.
I believe the Laodicean church is a type, a picture, of a last days church. Not the only one, as I believe the Philadelphian church is as well.
Two churches; one in love with Jesus, the other in love with themselves.
One content with God’s ability as revealed through His word, the other with their own ability as revealed in their words, “We have all we need.”
The Lord called those full of themselves “miserable”, “pitiable”.
Foolish.
The promise to the miserable is reproof and discipline; to try and break the heart full of pride.
Pity isn’t the same as mercy. The Lord is merciful to those who seek Him, but He casts aside the proud.
The Lord helps those who call upon Him, but He pushes away those who’ve kept Him at a distance.
It’s time to lay aside our self sufficiency and look to the Lord.
He really is all we need.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)
Jan Grace 