S) "19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
Revelation 3:19 (NASB)
O) Jesus had just rebuked the church of Laodicea pretty strongly. Verse 16 is pretty famous, about how the church had become lukewarm. Verse 17 actually speaks to me a lot, given my history (I wrote an entry about it back on 12/27/2011). So, in light of the admonishment, the above words from Jesus hold particular value; this reminder of His love and discipline, this command to be zealous and repent, could not have been given in a better context. God wants us in a right relationship with Him, because that is the place where we will have life. He wants this because of His love for us. This is the reason we must repent when we are apathetic about our faith. This is the reason they were told to be zealous, because they had become indifferent about serving the Lord. This is why they needed to repent, to turn back to Him. Over and over, through the Old Testament, God disciplined His people in the hopes that they would repent. He would reprove their infidelity in order that they might become a people zealous for His name again. This didn't happen very often, and only a remnant would repent and remain faithful. We don't know the historic result of the church of Laodicea.
A) Given the way I feel connected to v.17, I also feel a strong connection to v.19, here. I love the Lord, and as His servant I must invite the discipline and reproof of Jesus. This is the only reliable way to be sure that I am walking according to His ways. Certainly, I should seek to be accountable with other Christians; mutual ministry and godly relationships are a wonderful gift for me to be able to recognize where sin has blinded me and a log may be in my eye. Still, even more than trusting godly relationships to help me see straight, I really need God to heal and open my eyes when I need correction (see v.18). The key to this is humility and a willingness to ask God to do whatever it takes to help me be fully obedient and submitted to His lordship over me.
P) Father, You are worthy of my allegiance. Not only did You create me in the first place, but You also redeemed my life when it was lost. You paid a precious price to bring my spirit to life with Christ. Because of that, I submit myself to Your authority, fully. I invite Your discipline, Father God. I trust that Your reproof and discipline are borne from Your love for me. Kindle the fire within me, Lord. Let a zeal come forth in me, that I would repent of my laziness, selfishness, apathy, and indifference. I know that I am easily fooled into thinking I am secure in this world, or even in Your kingdom, to the point that I am lackadaisical. This is an attitude not worthy of Your name. This is not who I want to become ever again. I don't want to slip into a lukewarm faith. So Father God, I ask for this discipline and reproof, and I pray that it brings about zeal and repentance in my life. All of this to Your glory, Lord. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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