Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock to Make You a Refreshing Believer
- Jack Selcher
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Are you a Christian who is like a cold glass of water on a hot day? Do your words, attitudes, and actions refresh others? Do you bring the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus wherever you go?
If you are like me, there is room for improvement. The church at Laodicea had room for improvement (Revelation 3:14-22). Let us consider how they missed the mark, and how we can hit it.
They had a lot going for them. Their town produced soft, black wool that made them rich and famous. Their medical school produced an eye salve that was much in demand. However, it was not the perfect place to live.
A spring six miles away provided inferior drinking water. Jesus told them their Christianity was as unrefreshing as their water. He knew their true spiritual condition. They could refresh others only by abiding in Him (John 15:5).
Jesus labeled their worthless works “lukewarm.” They provided neither refreshment for the spiritually weary nor healing for the spiritually sick. They were self-satisfied, idle, and indifferent.
They thought they were thriving while they refreshed no one. The church gave herself an A.
Jesus gave her an F. He said she was “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17 NIV).
Jesus counseled the Laodiceans to buy things they thought they already had. Similarly, He warns us that a superficial faith does not improve our character and conduct or make us useful. It is not the faith commitment necessary for salvation.
Like them, we need white garments to cover the shame of our nakedness. They symbolize God’s righteousness, which He credits to our account through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
They needed eyes to see their true spiritual condition. So do we. Spiritually healthy Christians are never self-satisfied.
Like a shepherd, Jesus sought the Laodiceans, and He seeks us. He continued to knock, hoping they would respond. He does the same for us.
He promised He would walk through the door they opened to Him and join them in the main, unhurried meal of the day. He wanted to be their friend and companion. He wants to be ours. Have you opened the door to Him? He saves us by grace through faith alone.
Jesus promised faithful Christians that they would sit and reign with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21). He overcame through the cross, and God then highly exalted Him. We also overcome through the cross.
Taking up our cross means saying no to our plans, desires, and goals so we can say yes to His. We offer ourselves as living sacrifices to meet the needs of others.
We spend our lives for that which will outlast them. Jesus only trusts us to rule if we are willing to serve sacrificially. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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