|
||
JESUS TOUR QUESTIONS ARTICLES SERMONS SUBSCRIPTIONS ABOUT | ||
Are We Laodiceans?Most would agree that we live in the fullness of the Laodicean attitude of God's church, and because we are alive now, it is safe to assume that we all have strong Laodicean proclivities. To believe otherwise is a presumption—which Psalm 19:13 warns us against—most of us had as members of the Worldwide Church of God. Seeing those results, it is too late in the day, and not very wise, to make the same mistake twice. To see where we stand, notice the example of someone most of us would agree was not a Laodicean. A speaker once reported that Herbert Armstrong said he always tried to be aware that he was in God's presence by constantly asking God for help. It was common for him to pray 30 or 40 times a day—short prayers asking for assistance with a decision, counseling a person, preparing an article or sermon, etc. Notice the advice he gave church members in the October 1957 Good News:
What we see in Mr. Armstrong's example is one who opened the door to God and Christ at every opportunity because he believed, unlike Laodiceans, that he needed everything (John 15:5). Notice what Christ wants from us Laodiceans:
Christ wants a relationship—not just any relationship but a deep one that will last for eternity (John 17:3). He wants a bride that cannot get enough of Him, not one that takes Him for granted. As we can see from Mr. Armstrong's example, he could not get enough of being in the presence of God and Christ. As Laodiceans, if we cannot rouse ourselves to open the door to Him at every opportunity, He will make one last attempt to rescue us—the fire of tribulation:
Christ expects His future bride, the one He will spend eternity with, to love Him with as much zeal and passion as He loves us. He suffered torture and crucifixion so we could be His Bride. Using Herbert Armstrong's example, we can perform a simple daily test to determine how much Laodiceanism has infected us. At day's end, ask how much time we spent communicating with God and Christ and how much time They were in none of our thoughts (Psalm 10:4). If we find ourselves short, the solution is simple: Repent and zealously build that relationship by increasing our contact. Besides the ideas suggested by Mr. Armstrong, we have many opportunities to acknowledge before God and Christ our need for everything. Notice the possibilities we have during our day for self-examination and walking and talking with God, for opening the door. When . . .
This list is not complete, but it is a beginning to show God that we realize how much we need Him and Christ to be intimately involved in the details of our lives. During our day, we can demonstrate our desire to walk with Them, to build the relationship by opening the door to Their presence at every opportunity. Responding to Herbert Armstrong's call to pray without ceasing is the answer to our Laodicean tendencies. His example illustrates the relationship required to escape the Tribulation (Luke 21:36) and spend eternity at Christ's side (Revelation 3:21). Pat Higgins |
||
© Copyright 1992-2024 Church of the Great God. Contact Us. |
You Will See This Only Once | ||
The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. |
||
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party. We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time. |