Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 5; Psalm 88; Isaiah 33; Revelation 3
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
What a contrast between these two churches! One of them has an open door set before them and the other has Jesus shut up outside knocking on the door asking to come in! What is the difference between these two churches?
One church is holding fast with a little strength and one thinks that they have need of nothing. The church at Philadelphia had only a little strength. They were not big, wealthy, powerful or impressive by the world's standards. However, they did keep the Word of Jesus Christ. They stood their ground on the Word. They preached, taught, and believed the Word of God. They did not deny the name of Jesus Christ.
The Laodicean church was wealthy by worldly standards.
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)
They did not know their true condition as declared by Jesus Christ. When the world looked at this church they saw wealth, power, and an abundance of resources. When Jesus looked at them he saw a miserable, poor, blind and naked body. Is it possible for us to see ourselves the complete opposite of what our true spiritual condition is? Absolutely! This is the lesson we must learn from the Laodicean church. We cannot be self-sufficient; we must be dependent upon the Lord!
The Philadelphian church had to depend upon the Lord because she only had a little strength. Her focus was on the Word of God and the name of Jesus. She had the open door before her because she was depending on Jesus to provide everything. Do you live as it Jesus does not exist? Do you need him every hour? Do you find yourself constantly crying out to him for the things you need just to make it through the day to day chores you have to do?
How does Jesus see you and your church? Is there an open door of ministry set before you or is Jesus outside trying to get in? From the perspective of Jesus, what does he see? That is the only thing that really matters anyway!
In Christ,
Rody
