The Lord wrote a letter to the church in Laodicea. Let us
briefly look at their background. Laodicea was a strong financial centre in
those days. It had very rich inhabitants who thought since they had virtually
all they needed, they did not need God. It was the heart of textile
manufacturing, providing specialised medical care for eyes and ears. The church
in Laodicea was equally inhabited by wealthy members who thought they could do
almost anything with money. Being wealthy, they could afford the best of clothes
and medical care. Their comfort and affluence made them proud people.
If you look closely, the church in Laodicea was the only one
out of seven that the Lord had nothing good to say about. Even as bad as Sardis
was, it still had some good people. Meanwhile, they saw themselves as the
happening church- the rich and affluent church. Laodicea was a church that had
all its physical needs met. They could afford the most fantastic auditorium,
equipped with the best and most expensive musical instruments then. They could
afford to publicise every programme on air and do glamorous banners. Their
church could be said to be what most of our churches today dream to be. On
Sundays, if you saw the sisters there, you would think there was a fashion
parade or some kind of beauty pageant. It was a prosperous church with all
members physically prospering. The latest cars were parked in their parking
lot. What a church without a need! Meanwhile, as they were celebrating their
“immense success”, the Lord was lamenting their wretchedness. In His eyes, they
were the exact opposite of who they thought they were. May you never see
yourself only through your eyes but always through His eyes. One lesson here is
that we need to steer clear of pride as it is capable of eroding all our good
works. Anyone who is adorned with any attribute of pride blocks God’s view of
his or her good deeds, except the object of pride. If you fill up a two-storey
building with good works but you are proud, it is only your pride that would be
seen. Nothing will be recorded for your good. The proud is in competition with
God. Are you proud?
Search yourself for any element of pride and immediately
deal with them before they spoil your work.
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23
No comments :
Post a Comment