May 7: THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER (part 1)

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:18

Salvation is free to us because its tremendous cost was absorbed by our Heavenly Father and His Son. Our debt is paid in full. But the fatal flaw of Laodicea’s lack of awareness of her own condition will be costly to correct. The correction is available, but it requires the relinquishing of pride. It will cost the attitude of self-sufficiency. Jesus says, “buy from Me gold refined in the fire” and, in order to follow through on His counsel, the last-day church must gain an awareness of her precarious position. For her to not know (v.17) that she does not know presents a double layer of serious trouble to overcome.

Jesus has yet to vomit the church of Laodicea out of [His] mouth (v.16). This means that there is still hope to get prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. Admitting spiritual poverty may seem difficult, but what we receive in exchange for this pridefulness is spiritual gold. Those who understand that they are spiritually destitute are truly blessed, for they know they must depend upon the Lord’s Holy Spirit in everything from motivations to actions (see Matthew 5:3).

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

The Laodiceans had herds of black sheep from which they developed a prosperous industry of making garments of a very soft and fine black wool. But Jesus desires that His people may be clothed in white garments that will cover the shame of… nakedness. These white garments consistently represent the righteous character of Himself that only He can form in us. This forming is very often also a time of refinement. Indeed, a time of intense testing is still ahead.

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10b

“I will clothe you with rich robes.”  Zechariah 3:4b

Laodicea was world famous for an eye salve that could aid in the healing of eye disease. The spiritual application is especially fitting. To see is to understand (vs not knowing one’s spiritual condition). The unique word translated anoint is connected with the work of God’s Holy Spirit. (See 1 Samuel 16:13, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38)

…making mention of you in my prayers…that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power… Ephesians 1:16b,18-19