Opportunity Knocking
Today was an interesting day for me. I had the opportunity to attend the arguments before the Colorado Supreme Court on some energy development bans in local communities. It was interesting to observe the process and listen to the arguments. I then had lunch with Braden Wahr. Braden was an aide of mine at the Capitol and is now working in Washington DC for “American’s for Prosperity.” I had the opportunity to walk some distances and stand for long periods of time, so it was good exercise and test of my endurance.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I correct and punish those whom I love. So be eager to do right, and change your hearts and lives. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.” Revelation 3:19-20 NCV
The Church of Laodicea is one of the most known of the churches. This is because of the words of verse 20, “I stand at the door and knock..” Also, this is the “lukewarm” church, the one that nauseated the Lord. “I know what you do, that you are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! But because you are lukewarm—neither hot, nor cold—I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:15-16 NCV)
The church of Sardis had a reputation for being alive, when the Lord said they were dead; but the church of Laodicea is arrogant, smug, self-sufficient and delusional in their attitude. “You say, ‘I am rich, and I have become wealthy and do not need anything.’ But you do not know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev. 3:17 NCV)
This church didn’t believe they needed anything, but they did need to…
1 – Confront their mediocrity. In a day when we “shy away” from and fear being “too extreme” these words of the Lord about being “in the middle” are challenging. The Lord says, “I know what you do.” It seems from this assessment that their actions revealed more than they were willing to admit to themselves or the Lord. We need to ask ourselves if our actions match our profession. Do we just “talk the talk” or do we “walk the walk?”
2 – “Buy” what they really needed. The Lord tells them if they are “rich” they need to buy “gold refined in the fire” “white clothes” and “eye salve.” In other words, they needed a life that would stand the test. They needed conduct that was holy and pleased the Lord and they needed to see themselves, the Lord and their world as it truly was.
3 – Seize the opportunity. The Lord brings judgment and condemnation not to punish but to correct. His love does not allow us to stay in our own self-delusion. At the same time He doesn’t force His will on ours. He gives the “wake up call.” He “knocks on the door.” They just needed to “open the door.”
4 – Embrace a new destiny. This church reveals the mercy and grace of the Lord. When the proper response takes place, relationship and reward replace the repulsion and a distorted reality. We see fellowship with the Lord is described. “I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.” (Rev. 3:20 NCV) We see the promise of not “just making it” but the promise of reward. “Those who win the victory will sit with me on my throne in the same way that I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21 NCV)
I am thankful that the Lord comes into our lives and let’s us know the truth about ourselves. He does so, because of His love and the opportunity to “hear what the Spirit is saying…” What is important is not the condition we are in, but the condition we can be in. When we listen and respond we find His mercy, grace and reward. When that kind of opportunity knocks, we need to open the door.