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What is a good Laodicean? Is this a contradiction in terms? By now most truly converted Christians realize we are living in the Laodicean Era. However, the term Laodicean has become such an epithet that most, understandably, are horrified to be associated with the label. This is, indeed, sad for it causes a denial of reality and the attendant rationalizing away our current predicament. Hiding one's head in the sand is never helpful and can be quite dangerous.
With reality obscured, so many individuals and church groups have taken to the false security of labels. The most common practice is to label others and the church groups they attend as "Laodicean" and the person and the church group they attend as "Philadelphian." This, of course, leads to the inevitable judging as to who will be martyred, who will go to the place of safety and sometimes who will gain or lose eternal life. Under these harsh conditions, is it no wonder that many are offended and the love of many grows cold?
Here at "THE GOOD LAODICEAN" we endeavor to look this difficult subject squarely on beseeching God for guidance and counting on His love and mercy to help us see what it takes to become a good Laodicean. You see, it is Christ who said in Rev. 3:21 that, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne." He said this to those who dwell in the Laodicean Era! It may be that our era does have many in shabby raiment, who are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." The good news is that NONE of us has to stay that way! In verse 18 Christ counsels us to buy from Him "gold refined in the fire, . . . white garments," . . . and allow Him to anoint our eyes with salve that we might truly see us as He sees us. He stands at the door waiting for each of us to open that, "He may sup with us." Let's not keep Him waiting. Let us now take Him up on His offer to help us become "THE GOOD LAODICEAN!"
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
