ESOCS Devotional 20 December
TEXT: REVELATION 3:15-22
MEMORY VERSE: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17 KJV
The church in Laodecea, like many churches today, had become indifferent and lazy, and had lost their zeal for effective evangelical work that would lead people unto genuine repentance (Rom. 12:11). Material wealth had led several people in the church to trust in their own riches for security, instead of trusting God. However, their financial affluence had made them spiritually destitute and void of good works (Hos. 12:8; Zech. 11:5, Matt. 5:3). They had possibly become lukewarm because they so trusted in the monetary contribution they made to the church, without personal involvement in good works. That is to say, in their financial prosperity, they do not recognize their spiritual poverty. Their riches had stirred them to cultivate a religion after their own desires – a religion devoid of true spirituality and commitment to the Lord.
In the eye of heaven, such churches are considered dead (Rev. 3:1). In a dead church, sinners abound – who have not truly confessed their sins and asked for forgiveness. Though they may be physically living, they are all dead in sin. Such spiritual death eventually results in eternal death. This is the second death (Rev. 20:14). The only antidote to this type of death is spiritual rebirth (John 3:3). In verse 20, we see Jesus standing at the door of everyone’s heart knocking to be let in. But the problem is that men have left Jesus and are going after things that do not profit (1 Sam 12:21; Matt. 16:26).
The good news is that Jesus never relents. He is ever there seeking an opportunity from those who will voluntarily return. Let’s hasten up while the sun shines.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
If in the eye of heaven a lukewarm church is spiritually dead, critically examine your church today. Is she still living?
PRAYER POINT
Lord, help us to administer the only antidote to spiritual death – regeneration. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 17:21-28; 19:1-11; Revelation 6:1-17
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ESOCS Devotional 20 December
