"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” -Revelation 3:19
When Jesus uttered these words He was speaking to the church. Specifically to the lukewarm church of Laodicea which was very embracing and accepting about everything except Jesus. Jesus was left out of this church. A verse later He tells the church this "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (3:20) While the church of Laodicea no longer exists many lukewarm churches and Christians do exist today. They thrive where a gospel or lifestyle of acceptance and not repentance is preached and lived. Their messages are designed to make you feel good and uplifted, so you can be a better you now. They leave out sin and repentance from the scripture. I am not trying to be a critic but if I only tell you about the things that sound good and are easy to hear, and leave out the things that challenge you to change I am being deceptive and will not be giving you the whole truth that God wants you to hear. Let's hearken to the words of Christ and respond to His love for us by letting Him into our lives and being passionate (zealous) about changing instead of conforming. You see love isn't acceptance minus repentance!
- WHY IS IT HARD TO HELP PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO CHANGE? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENABLING OTHERS AND ACTUALLY HELPING THEM OUT?
- What is the point of confessing if I do not repent?" -Michael Corleone