In America, most of us do not have any big needs. As a result, it becomes easy to think God is not needed, because it seems like we can provide everything for ourselves. We become cafeteria believers, people who believe what they like, and reject what they do not. In today’s episode, Jeff says we need to make sure we don’t become so self-reliant that we feel like we don’t need God. Beware of lukewarm Christianity!
Snippet from the show:
The opposite of love is not hate, the opposite of love is indifference!
SHOWNOTES
Revelation 3: The Church in Laodicea
- The wealthiest city in Phrygia during Roman times.
- It was widely known for its banking establishments, medical school (eye salve made of Phrygian powder) and textile industry.
- Its major weakness was lack of an adequate water supply.
The three items in which Laodicea took great pride vs. what Jesus responds with:
Financial Wealth
- Jesus responds with: Gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1:6-9)
- This verse alludes to purification through suffering.
- True faith and genuine works of obedience are spoken of in Scripture in terms of jewelry, and especially gold (1 Pet 1:7; 1 Cor 3:12-15).
An Extensive Textile Industry
- Jesus responds with: White Garments (Rev 19:8)
- “The righteous deed of the saints.”
- Nakedness is symbolic of disobedience (Gen 3:7).
A Famous Eye Salve
- Jesus responds with: Blindness as a symbol of man’s fallen-ness (Matt 13:13-15)
- In John’s gospel blindness is used to describe those who refuse to acknowledge guilt and repent (John 9:39-41).
CCC 1427-1429 gives us tips on conversion after we have been baptized.
Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jeff at thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode!
