Obsession with Confession (1 John 1:9, sin confession)
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It is easy to "confess" our sins and continue on, thinking we have met a spiritual" requirement. But has there really been a change in our attitude, and not just our action? That would be like the little boy whose father angrily tells him to sit down and be quiet in church. The little boy does so, but tells his father that "I may be sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside!"
God is much more concerned with changed attitudes. As our attitudes change - through the truth of God's Word - our actions will eventually change.
Teaching we must confess our sins in order to be forgiven doesn't produce changed hearts. Why? Because we have placed ourselves under a "law" which demands that we confess every sin in order to be forgiven and stay in fellowship with God. However, there are no laws, Mosaic or man-made, that can free us from sin. The law was never meant to free us from sin because "the power of sin is the law" (1 Corinthians 15:56). Therefore, we usually end up repeating the same sin before the week (or even the day) is over and feel guilt and frustration over our inability to change.
This obsession with confession keeps us under the power of sin because we are consumed with thoughts of ourselves in a sincere desire to please God. As a result, though, we become so concerned about whether we are "in or out of fellowship" with God that we don't have time for our relationships down here. We are too busy keeping "short accounts" to be able to serve our brothers in love.
There is God...and then there are people....different things being dealt with.
Good question...now we go to James for when we sin against a person..different thing....having wronged someone, we should go to them and deal with whatever happened so that we can get one loving each other... and praying for each other to get healed of things.....
James 5:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Good question...now we go to James for when we sin against a person..different thing....having wronged someone, we should go to them and deal with whatever happened so that we can get one loving each other... and praying for each other to get healed of things.....
James 5:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Confession
Different people have different experiences of confession of sin.
The concern with hyper-grace groups is ignoring sin, by teaching it is already dealt with when obviously it is not.
Pauls concern was around how you consider sin, your conscience, your relationship with Jesus, walking in the Spirit or the flesh. It sounds like his view is based on what you where convicted about. The problem is this becomes very personal, and many have a problem with self condemnation, which is why hyper-grace became appealing.
The difficulty is teaching the principles of love, walking in righteousness and discovering you have gone astray.
If you emphasise we are all saved walking in grace, you end up saying righteousness is merely a choice of your heart, which is has no obligations involved. Paul knew this excess, while addressing the Corinthians, and equally the more legalistic approach under Romans.
What we are really talking about is being content, not coveting, lusting after people and things, not keeping special celebrations etc. but being free to enjoy the blessing God has given us.
This is the world of the internal person and their approach, but what God is talking about is continual entrenched attitudes.
Passing thoughts happen all the time, but real attachments grow over time. You know it is an attachment when you try to give it up.
What I find odd is this is the area people are talking about what they are failing in, rather than accepting it is actually about coming to terms with your circumstances and praising where you are. If you have problems doing this, I would question have you understood Jesus at all. Saying it is simply forgiven in Jesus is not being real.
I do not trust those who are trying to teach grace, because they are not describing what their personal failure is, and why they feel so guilty and lost about it.
Different people have different experiences of confession of sin.
The concern with hyper-grace groups is ignoring sin, by teaching it is already dealt with when obviously it is not.
Pauls concern was around how you consider sin, your conscience, your relationship with Jesus, walking in the Spirit or the flesh. It sounds like his view is based on what you where convicted about. The problem is this becomes very personal, and many have a problem with self condemnation, which is why hyper-grace became appealing.
The difficulty is teaching the principles of love, walking in righteousness and discovering you have gone astray.
If you emphasise we are all saved walking in grace, you end up saying righteousness is merely a choice of your heart, which is has no obligations involved. Paul knew this excess, while addressing the Corinthians, and equally the more legalistic approach under Romans.
What we are really talking about is being content, not coveting, lusting after people and things, not keeping special celebrations etc. but being free to enjoy the blessing God has given us.
This is the world of the internal person and their approach, but what God is talking about is continual entrenched attitudes.
Passing thoughts happen all the time, but real attachments grow over time. You know it is an attachment when you try to give it up.
What I find odd is this is the area people are talking about what they are failing in, rather than accepting it is actually about coming to terms with your circumstances and praising where you are. If you have problems doing this, I would question have you understood Jesus at all. Saying it is simply forgiven in Jesus is not being real.
I do not trust those who are trying to teach grace, because they are not describing what their personal failure is, and why they feel so guilty and lost about it.
Yes, and he said we are dead to sin and alive unto God. So tell me, is sin dealt with or not? If we are dead to it, why does it pervade our conversations to the degree that it does? Sin is centerfold in the mind when Jesus should be, and when a preacher realizes that it is not the Law that will set free the Lord's congregation and starts emphasizing grace and the victory found in Christ then the captives will be set free.
You say that "Hyper-Grace" is being used to cover sin, that those under such a teaching are in denial. A false allegation, and yet tell me why is it that the law continues to be preached to no avail? To what end shall a preacher preach to a flock defeated and yet say he is shepherding them? They have no green pasture, they are in a desert drowning in religion. They need grace, they need a revelation of the victory found in Christ. The victory they already have, yet are ignorant of.
You worry that men are in sin? You care? Then ask the Lord for a revelation of grace. If you truly care, that is where victory is found. You say you want people to be real? The reality is found in God's grace. You have been set free to walk in liberty, not a license to sin but a breaking of chains unto righteousness. Hyper grace is God's grace, it is abounding and it is freeing. It is excessive. Yet, it is righteous and justified because it is through Christ that it is applied. It wasn't free, it cost Jesus His life. God extends His grace through His Son because Christ's death is not in vain.
So you see, sin has been dealt with at the cross and that is why grace is emphasized over sin because sin is washed in Jesus' blood and we are dead to it. Confession only focuses on sin, it revolves around it. One becomes so sin conscious it questions whether one is truly set free as scripture says. It actually contradicts the victory we "supposedly" have... yet religion and self-righteousness would like to play a part in their salvation. Do you have victory or do you not? According to God's word, you do. So why do you continue to confess sins and live your life trying to avoid it, preach on it, point it out in others and so on? Sin shouldn't be the focus of your life, Jesus should. Did He set you free? Then stop sliding the shackles back on and walk in the liberty He purchased with His blood.
You say that "Hyper-Grace" is being used to cover sin, that those under such a teaching are in denial. A false allegation, and yet tell me why is it that the law continues to be preached to no avail? To what end shall a preacher preach to a flock defeated and yet say he is shepherding them? They have no green pasture, they are in a desert drowning in religion. They need grace, they need a revelation of the victory found in Christ. The victory they already have, yet are ignorant of.
You worry that men are in sin? You care? Then ask the Lord for a revelation of grace. If you truly care, that is where victory is found. You say you want people to be real? The reality is found in God's grace. You have been set free to walk in liberty, not a license to sin but a breaking of chains unto righteousness. Hyper grace is God's grace, it is abounding and it is freeing. It is excessive. Yet, it is righteous and justified because it is through Christ that it is applied. It wasn't free, it cost Jesus His life. God extends His grace through His Son because Christ's death is not in vain.
So you see, sin has been dealt with at the cross and that is why grace is emphasized over sin because sin is washed in Jesus' blood and we are dead to it. Confession only focuses on sin, it revolves around it. One becomes so sin conscious it questions whether one is truly set free as scripture says. It actually contradicts the victory we "supposedly" have... yet religion and self-righteousness would like to play a part in their salvation. Do you have victory or do you not? According to God's word, you do. So why do you continue to confess sins and live your life trying to avoid it, preach on it, point it out in others and so on? Sin shouldn't be the focus of your life, Jesus should. Did He set you free? Then stop sliding the shackles back on and walk in the liberty He purchased with His blood.
We have been made perfect In the spirit but we need to renew our minds.
+++
Hebrews 12:23
King James Version(KJV)
23.To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
+++
Romans 12:1-2
King James Version(KJV)
1.)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
+++
Chastising would have to be talking about the sanctification process( talking about loving your neighbor)
We were made perfect In the spirit and thats what GOD Is looking at.
+++
Hebrews 12:23
King James Version(KJV)
23.To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
+++
Romans 12:1-2
King James Version(KJV)
1.)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
+++
Chastising would have to be talking about the sanctification process( talking about loving your neighbor)
We were made perfect In the spirit and thats what GOD Is looking at.
John 16:8 does work
Convict/Reprove
G1651 ἐλέγχω elegcho (el-eng'-kho) v.
1. to confute, admonish
Because it's the same word as reprove here:
Therefore, Christ convicts both the world and those whom he loves of sin.
And [when he] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: John 16:8
Convict/Reprove
G1651 ἐλέγχω elegcho (el-eng'-kho) v.
1. to confute, admonish
Because it's the same word as reprove here:
As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. Be zealous, therefore, and repent! Revelation 3:19
Therefore, Christ convicts both the world and those whom he loves of sin.
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F
Convict the world; Christians are not of the world. And you stopped short.....
John 16:8-9
"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me"
Because they do not believe in Me; Believers believe in Him. So it cannot be speaking of believers.
There are many meanings to the greek word ἐλέγχω elegcho
It does not always refer to sin...We must read the context to get the meaning of the word..greek is a very descriptive language...but it's general usage is to reprove and convince..King Jimmie uses convict only one time
to find fault with, correct; a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove, to convict, refute, confute,, contextually, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation,by deed; to chasten, punish
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
English Words used in KJV:
reprove 6
rebuke 5
convince 4
tell (one's) fault 1
convict 1
[Total Count: 17]
of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Here are some other places where the exact same word was used.
Ephesians 5:11 (NASB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
1 Corinthians 14:24 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
Titus 1:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
James 2:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Ephesians 5:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
It does not always refer to sin...We must read the context to get the meaning of the word..greek is a very descriptive language...but it's general usage is to reprove and convince..King Jimmie uses convict only one time
to find fault with, correct; a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove, to convict, refute, confute,, contextually, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation,by deed; to chasten, punish
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
English Words used in KJV:
reprove 6
rebuke 5
convince 4
tell (one's) fault 1
convict 1
[Total Count: 17]
of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Here are some other places where the exact same word was used.
Ephesians 5:11 (NASB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
1 Corinthians 14:24 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
Titus 1:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
James 2:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Ephesians 5:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
The Laodicean church was one of the most messed up churches in the Bible. So I guess it should be no surprise that today it remains one of the most preached about churches. We can learn a lot from other people’s mistakes.
In Revelations 3:14-21, Jesus gives the Laodicean church a stern warning. It was a warning that was intended to save them. In other words, Jesus was showing them the way to freedom, redemption and life. (That sounds good right?) Yet for 2,000 years preachers have used Jesus’ words as a religious rod for beating Christians.
And when Christians allow themselves to be condemned by this sort of thing, it’s like taking someone else’s medicine.
In Part 1 of this series I asked, what made the Laodiceans lukewarm? (Hint: it wasn’t apathy.)
In Part 2, I asked, why did the Laodiceans make Jesus nauseous? (Hint: perhaps they reminded him of the people who nailed him to the cross.)
In today’s post I want to look more closely at Jesus’ assessment of the Laodiceans:
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev 3:17)
Self-righteousness says, “I have made it on my own. I don’t need a thing.” This is exactly what the Laodiceans were saying to themselves. But Jesus said the truth was very different. He said they were lost and in danger of rejection.
Jesus never wastes words. He never says anything he doesn’t mean. So when he says the Laodiceans are “wretched and pitiful,” he is saying they are in a bad state. Just so they don’t have any uncertainty about this, he adds that they’re also “poor, blind and naked.”
Who is Jesus talking to?
Now here’s the $64,000 question. Is Jesus talking to sinners or saints? Were the Laodiceans saved or lost when Jesus gave them this message?
I can think of three reasons why we might think the Laodiceans were Christians:
(1) They’re collectively referred to as a “church.”
(2) The idea of Jesus vomiting them out of his body makes us think they were at least once part of his body.
(3) Jesus says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Discipline is usually reserved for sons while love suggests the body of Christ.
(Have I missed other reasons?)
But here are ten reasons why some of the Laodiceans were probably not saved:
(1) Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. There are many people in church who don’t know Jesus, who have neither repented nor put their trust in him. The Laodiceans may have called themselves a church, but they were a church in name only. They may have acted godly, but theirs’ was a counterfeit, useless form of godliness.
(2) We vomit up things that are foreign and do not belong to us. We don’t vomit up body parts. To use the vomit argument as evidence of the Laodicean’s membership in the body of Christ is like saying we can vomit up an arm or a foot.
(3) The love of God is not limited to the church. “For God so loved the world that gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). Jesus said “love your enemies” and while we were his enemies he reconciled us to God (Rms 5:10). We might say a sinner is not loved by God. But God is in the business of calling the unlovely and unloved “my loved one” (Rms 9:25), and thank God he did or you wouldn’t be reading this! And while it’s true sons get special attention from their fathers (Heb 12:8), the whole world needs a life-saving rebuke from a loving Savior. Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world (not Christians) of sin (Jn 16:9). It is perfectly consistent with Jesus’ character and mission to say he loves sinners enough to rebuke them.
(4) Of all the seven churches Jesus addresses in Revelations 1-3, the Laodicean church is the only one where Jesus has nothing positive to say. There is no affirmation, nothing to commend. Even in the churches where there was rampant sin (e.g., Sardis) Jesus could identify a “few who had not soiled their clothes.” But no group of believers is singled out in Laodicea.
(5) Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus refer to Christians as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Yet these terms are used in many places to describe sinners in general and religious sinners in particular. In Matthew 23 Jesus describes the Pharisees as “blind” five times. It is the lost who are wretched and pitiful, not those who’ve been redeemed and are now kept by Jesus.
(6) The Laodiceans were mixing law and grace just like the Galatians, but unlike the Galatians there is no hint that they ever “began with the Spirit” (Gal 3:3). The Galatians had witnessed a move of God, but by the time Paul wrote to them they were “deserting the one who called you” (Gal 1:6). There is no indication that the Laodiceans are walking away from God. There is no evidence to suggest they had ever received the grace of God.
(7) Even though he had not met them personally, Paul wanted the Laodiceans to read the letter he wrote to the Colossians (Col 2:1, 4:16). For some reason Paul saw a need to warn the Laodiceans against being taken captive through “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human traditions and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Col 2:8).
This hints at Pharisaical tendencies that promote works and independence from God. Paul wanted them to reject this teaching and become wholly dependent on Christ. Evidently they didn’t listen because by the time of John’s vision they were saying “we don’t need a thing.”
(8) Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Those who believe in the Son are not judged” (Jn 3:18, GNB). Other translations use the word “condemned.” In Revelations 3 Jesus is judging the Laodiceans. He is hinting that they are at risk of being condemned and utterly rejected. Condemnation and rejection is what happens to unrepentant sinners. There is “no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Rm 8:1), not now, not ever.
(9) Five of the Revelations churches are accused by Jesus of various misdeeds. Four of those churches (Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis) are rebuked for bad doctrine which has led to bad deeds. But with the Laodiceans the fault is themselves. Their deeds reveal that they are lukewarm.
The other churches are told to “remember,” “repent” and “hold fast” to what they already have. But the Laodiceans have nothing to remember, nothing to hold onto. There is nothing they have that might save them from being rejected by Jesus.
(10) Jesus said he was on the outside knocking and wondering whether anyone would hear his voice and open the door for him to come in (Rev 3:20).
Jesus has no fellowship with sinners, just as light doesn’t keep company with darkness. Although some have used this text in reference to Christians, it’s hard to reconcile with Colossians 1:27 where Paul writes that “Christ is in you.” To say Jesus was speaking to Christians is like saying Christ can be inside you and outside you at the same time. No, Jesus is addressing those who have not yet invited him in (i.e., sinners).
A church full of sinners?!
Is it possible that an entire church can be so caught up with their own religious performance that they don’t realize that they have left Jesus standing outside?
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)
A church is supposed to be an embassy for the kingdom of heaven. It’s supposed to be a place where people come to have an encounter with the living God. The sick get healed, the oppressed get delivered, the blind see, and the prisoners are freed. But in a church that is full of self-righteous religion none of these things can happen because Jesus isn’t there.
Why did Jesus say the Laodiceans were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked? For the same reason he said the Pharisees were woeful and blind.
“You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Mt 23:13)
Who’s wretched and pitiful? It’s the one outside the kingdom. Who’s poor? It is the one who has not received the riches of God’s grace. Who’s blind? It is the one who does not see what Jesus has already done for him. Who’s naked? It is the one who clothes himself with filthy acts of self-righteousness in a doomed attempt to make himself acceptable to a holy and perfection-demanding God.
Religion is bad for you
Nothing will keep you out of the kingdom of heaven like man-made religion. Nothing will keep you from the grace of God like self-righteousness.
Sin will kill you but religion will inoculate you against the only cure. It will give you a false sense that all is well, that you are rich and do not need a thing. And that’s why Jesus hates it.
In Revelations 3:14-21, Jesus gives the Laodicean church a stern warning. It was a warning that was intended to save them. In other words, Jesus was showing them the way to freedom, redemption and life. (That sounds good right?) Yet for 2,000 years preachers have used Jesus’ words as a religious rod for beating Christians.
And when Christians allow themselves to be condemned by this sort of thing, it’s like taking someone else’s medicine.
In Part 1 of this series I asked, what made the Laodiceans lukewarm? (Hint: it wasn’t apathy.)
In Part 2, I asked, why did the Laodiceans make Jesus nauseous? (Hint: perhaps they reminded him of the people who nailed him to the cross.)
In today’s post I want to look more closely at Jesus’ assessment of the Laodiceans:
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev 3:17)
Self-righteousness says, “I have made it on my own. I don’t need a thing.” This is exactly what the Laodiceans were saying to themselves. But Jesus said the truth was very different. He said they were lost and in danger of rejection.
Jesus never wastes words. He never says anything he doesn’t mean. So when he says the Laodiceans are “wretched and pitiful,” he is saying they are in a bad state. Just so they don’t have any uncertainty about this, he adds that they’re also “poor, blind and naked.”
Who is Jesus talking to?
Now here’s the $64,000 question. Is Jesus talking to sinners or saints? Were the Laodiceans saved or lost when Jesus gave them this message?
I can think of three reasons why we might think the Laodiceans were Christians:
(1) They’re collectively referred to as a “church.”
(2) The idea of Jesus vomiting them out of his body makes us think they were at least once part of his body.
(3) Jesus says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Discipline is usually reserved for sons while love suggests the body of Christ.
(Have I missed other reasons?)
But here are ten reasons why some of the Laodiceans were probably not saved:
(1) Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. There are many people in church who don’t know Jesus, who have neither repented nor put their trust in him. The Laodiceans may have called themselves a church, but they were a church in name only. They may have acted godly, but theirs’ was a counterfeit, useless form of godliness.
(2) We vomit up things that are foreign and do not belong to us. We don’t vomit up body parts. To use the vomit argument as evidence of the Laodicean’s membership in the body of Christ is like saying we can vomit up an arm or a foot.
(3) The love of God is not limited to the church. “For God so loved the world that gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). Jesus said “love your enemies” and while we were his enemies he reconciled us to God (Rms 5:10). We might say a sinner is not loved by God. But God is in the business of calling the unlovely and unloved “my loved one” (Rms 9:25), and thank God he did or you wouldn’t be reading this! And while it’s true sons get special attention from their fathers (Heb 12:8), the whole world needs a life-saving rebuke from a loving Savior. Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world (not Christians) of sin (Jn 16:9). It is perfectly consistent with Jesus’ character and mission to say he loves sinners enough to rebuke them.
(4) Of all the seven churches Jesus addresses in Revelations 1-3, the Laodicean church is the only one where Jesus has nothing positive to say. There is no affirmation, nothing to commend. Even in the churches where there was rampant sin (e.g., Sardis) Jesus could identify a “few who had not soiled their clothes.” But no group of believers is singled out in Laodicea.
(5) Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus refer to Christians as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Yet these terms are used in many places to describe sinners in general and religious sinners in particular. In Matthew 23 Jesus describes the Pharisees as “blind” five times. It is the lost who are wretched and pitiful, not those who’ve been redeemed and are now kept by Jesus.
(6) The Laodiceans were mixing law and grace just like the Galatians, but unlike the Galatians there is no hint that they ever “began with the Spirit” (Gal 3:3). The Galatians had witnessed a move of God, but by the time Paul wrote to them they were “deserting the one who called you” (Gal 1:6). There is no indication that the Laodiceans are walking away from God. There is no evidence to suggest they had ever received the grace of God.
(7) Even though he had not met them personally, Paul wanted the Laodiceans to read the letter he wrote to the Colossians (Col 2:1, 4:16). For some reason Paul saw a need to warn the Laodiceans against being taken captive through “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human traditions and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Col 2:8).
This hints at Pharisaical tendencies that promote works and independence from God. Paul wanted them to reject this teaching and become wholly dependent on Christ. Evidently they didn’t listen because by the time of John’s vision they were saying “we don’t need a thing.”
(8) Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Those who believe in the Son are not judged” (Jn 3:18, GNB). Other translations use the word “condemned.” In Revelations 3 Jesus is judging the Laodiceans. He is hinting that they are at risk of being condemned and utterly rejected. Condemnation and rejection is what happens to unrepentant sinners. There is “no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Rm 8:1), not now, not ever.
(9) Five of the Revelations churches are accused by Jesus of various misdeeds. Four of those churches (Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis) are rebuked for bad doctrine which has led to bad deeds. But with the Laodiceans the fault is themselves. Their deeds reveal that they are lukewarm.
The other churches are told to “remember,” “repent” and “hold fast” to what they already have. But the Laodiceans have nothing to remember, nothing to hold onto. There is nothing they have that might save them from being rejected by Jesus.
(10) Jesus said he was on the outside knocking and wondering whether anyone would hear his voice and open the door for him to come in (Rev 3:20).
Jesus has no fellowship with sinners, just as light doesn’t keep company with darkness. Although some have used this text in reference to Christians, it’s hard to reconcile with Colossians 1:27 where Paul writes that “Christ is in you.” To say Jesus was speaking to Christians is like saying Christ can be inside you and outside you at the same time. No, Jesus is addressing those who have not yet invited him in (i.e., sinners).
A church full of sinners?!
Is it possible that an entire church can be so caught up with their own religious performance that they don’t realize that they have left Jesus standing outside?
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)
A church is supposed to be an embassy for the kingdom of heaven. It’s supposed to be a place where people come to have an encounter with the living God. The sick get healed, the oppressed get delivered, the blind see, and the prisoners are freed. But in a church that is full of self-righteous religion none of these things can happen because Jesus isn’t there.
Why did Jesus say the Laodiceans were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked? For the same reason he said the Pharisees were woeful and blind.
“You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Mt 23:13)
Who’s wretched and pitiful? It’s the one outside the kingdom. Who’s poor? It is the one who has not received the riches of God’s grace. Who’s blind? It is the one who does not see what Jesus has already done for him. Who’s naked? It is the one who clothes himself with filthy acts of self-righteousness in a doomed attempt to make himself acceptable to a holy and perfection-demanding God.
Religion is bad for you
Nothing will keep you out of the kingdom of heaven like man-made religion. Nothing will keep you from the grace of God like self-righteousness.
Sin will kill you but religion will inoculate you against the only cure. It will give you a false sense that all is well, that you are rich and do not need a thing. And that’s why Jesus hates it.
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I'm glad your posts are so long. They might make you feel like you're doing something with your copy/paste proselytizing, but few probably read them. They're just a distraction, and you know it.
I demonstrated that the holy spirit does indeed 'convict' believers of their sins, because Jesus himself said so. You and others may not like that word, which is fine. All it really means is that the spirit exposes believers' sins to them. They can either agree with the spirit that they've sinned and repent, or not. It's their choice. One way leads to forgiveness and life, the other to condemnation and death.
I'm glad your posts are so long. They might make you feel like you're doing something with your copy/paste proselytizing, but few probably read them. They're just a distraction, and you know it.
I demonstrated that the holy spirit does indeed 'convict' believers of their sins, because Jesus himself said so. You and others may not like that word, which is fine. All it really means is that the spirit exposes believers' sins to them. They can either agree with the spirit that they've sinned and repent, or not. It's their choice. One way leads to forgiveness and life, the other to condemnation and death.
The Laodiceans were a very religious church. They were doing so much for God that they thought they had it made. They thought they were rich but Jesus said they were poor. They thought they didn’t need a thing but Jesus said:
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:18)
Can you buy your salvation?!
Wait a second. Is Jesus saying salvation is something that can be bought? And if the Laodiceans were truly poor, how could they afford to buy anything?
To buy something is to exchange something we already own for something that we value more. Jesus is counseling the Laodiceans to give up what they have in exchange for three things that he offers:
The Laodiceans were busy doing church stuff. They thought they were rich but without Christ you’re poor. They thought they were good, but without his righteousness you’re naked. They thought they could see but unless you’re looking at things from Christ’s point of view you’re as good as blind. The Laodiceans thought they had it made, but Jesus said they had missed the way. Like Martha, they were so distracted with what they were doing that they hadn’t noticed that Jesus wasn’t with them.
They needed a revelation that he was on the outside knocking, wanting to come in.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20)
Religion keeps God outside
To “behold” Jesus is to see him. Jesus is saying, “see me, hear me, open the door to me and I will come in.” What is God’s will for the lost? He wants to come in and have a meal. He wants to have fellowship. Religion says that God is distant and unapproachable, but Grace personified says, “I want to come in and be with you.”
The redeemed life that Jesus offers is free but it’s still up to us to “buy” into it. You might say we “buy” salvation by exchanging our sins for his forgiveness, but the real exchange is Jesus for us. Derek Prince calls this the “divine exchange.”
Jesus went to the cross, took our sin and in return he gave us his righteousness. He took our hurts and gave us his healing. He took our rejection and gave us our acceptance. He took our death and gave us his life. I would say that was a good exchange, wouldn’t you?
Christianity is a Divine Exchange, our life for his. No doubt you’ve heard people say that following Jesus costs you everything. And it does. You cannot call him Lord without renouncing the right to your own life.
But see the bigger picture here folks! See what you get in exchange! If salvation means nothing more to you than self-denial and personal sacrifice, you’ve missed the whole point. Without him we are poor, naked and blind. With him we’re truly and eternally rich!
Notice how Jesus encouraged the Laodiceans to “become rich.” When you have Jesus as your treasure, you have the greatest treasure in the universe. When you have Jesus you are truly, literally, and eternally wealthy.
Somehow we have bought into the idea that God is stingy and wants us poor. But the Bible declares we are forgiven in “accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph 1:7), we are strengthened according to his “glorious riches” (Eph 3:16), and we have all needs supplied according to his “glorious riches” (Ph 4:19). This may come as a bit of a shock, but God is not poor. And his kids aren’t poor either. In Christ we have a rich and glorious inheritance (Eph 1:18).
Religion bankrupts but grace enriches
So here’s the deal. Religion says you slave away doing religious things, perhaps earning the praise of men, but ultimately reaping condemnation and death. Grace says:
“Come, all you who are thirsty… and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Is 55:1)
This is not a fair exchange. God favors us with this exchange. We give him our sinful, godless little selves and get everything in return.
“If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?” (Rms 8:32, MSG)
If you succeed at religion you will be tempted to think, “I am rich and I don’t need a thing.” But religion only bankrupts you. The only way to “become rich” is to buy into the riches of God’s grace revealed in Christ Jesus.
At the end of the day there are only two kinds of people in the world; those whose self righteousness leads them to say, “I don’t need a thing,” and those whose spiritual poverty causes them to say, “I need Jesus.”
Which one are you?
You can go to church your entire life and completely miss it with God. You can serve like a Laodicean with all the enthusiasm of a Pharisee and think you have it made. But without Jesus you’ve got nothing.
Christianity is not about doing stuff. Christianity is about an exchanged life; ours for his. See it from his point of view and make Christ your eternal treasure.
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:18)
Can you buy your salvation?!
Wait a second. Is Jesus saying salvation is something that can be bought? And if the Laodiceans were truly poor, how could they afford to buy anything?
To buy something is to exchange something we already own for something that we value more. Jesus is counseling the Laodiceans to give up what they have in exchange for three things that he offers:
- “refined gold” speaks of Christ our perfect and everlasting treasure
- “white clothes” speaks of Christ’s righteousness
- “salve” speaks of having a revelation of who Christ is and what he has done at the cross
The Laodiceans were busy doing church stuff. They thought they were rich but without Christ you’re poor. They thought they were good, but without his righteousness you’re naked. They thought they could see but unless you’re looking at things from Christ’s point of view you’re as good as blind. The Laodiceans thought they had it made, but Jesus said they had missed the way. Like Martha, they were so distracted with what they were doing that they hadn’t noticed that Jesus wasn’t with them.
They needed a revelation that he was on the outside knocking, wanting to come in.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20)
Religion keeps God outside
To “behold” Jesus is to see him. Jesus is saying, “see me, hear me, open the door to me and I will come in.” What is God’s will for the lost? He wants to come in and have a meal. He wants to have fellowship. Religion says that God is distant and unapproachable, but Grace personified says, “I want to come in and be with you.”
The redeemed life that Jesus offers is free but it’s still up to us to “buy” into it. You might say we “buy” salvation by exchanging our sins for his forgiveness, but the real exchange is Jesus for us. Derek Prince calls this the “divine exchange.”
Jesus went to the cross, took our sin and in return he gave us his righteousness. He took our hurts and gave us his healing. He took our rejection and gave us our acceptance. He took our death and gave us his life. I would say that was a good exchange, wouldn’t you?
Christianity is a Divine Exchange, our life for his. No doubt you’ve heard people say that following Jesus costs you everything. And it does. You cannot call him Lord without renouncing the right to your own life.
But see the bigger picture here folks! See what you get in exchange! If salvation means nothing more to you than self-denial and personal sacrifice, you’ve missed the whole point. Without him we are poor, naked and blind. With him we’re truly and eternally rich!
Notice how Jesus encouraged the Laodiceans to “become rich.” When you have Jesus as your treasure, you have the greatest treasure in the universe. When you have Jesus you are truly, literally, and eternally wealthy.
Somehow we have bought into the idea that God is stingy and wants us poor. But the Bible declares we are forgiven in “accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph 1:7), we are strengthened according to his “glorious riches” (Eph 3:16), and we have all needs supplied according to his “glorious riches” (Ph 4:19). This may come as a bit of a shock, but God is not poor. And his kids aren’t poor either. In Christ we have a rich and glorious inheritance (Eph 1:18).
Religion bankrupts but grace enriches
So here’s the deal. Religion says you slave away doing religious things, perhaps earning the praise of men, but ultimately reaping condemnation and death. Grace says:
“Come, all you who are thirsty… and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Is 55:1)
This is not a fair exchange. God favors us with this exchange. We give him our sinful, godless little selves and get everything in return.
“If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?” (Rms 8:32, MSG)
If you succeed at religion you will be tempted to think, “I am rich and I don’t need a thing.” But religion only bankrupts you. The only way to “become rich” is to buy into the riches of God’s grace revealed in Christ Jesus.
At the end of the day there are only two kinds of people in the world; those whose self righteousness leads them to say, “I don’t need a thing,” and those whose spiritual poverty causes them to say, “I need Jesus.”
Which one are you?
You can go to church your entire life and completely miss it with God. You can serve like a Laodicean with all the enthusiasm of a Pharisee and think you have it made. But without Jesus you’ve got nothing.
Christianity is not about doing stuff. Christianity is about an exchanged life; ours for his. See it from his point of view and make Christ your eternal treasure.
A Better way of Understanding I John
I. Identify who were these We- Witnesses
There’s a better way of understanding who these witnesses were in the light of the scriptures. Gleaning from the other writings of John, we can clear the smoke and weed out those that are not. Apostle John here wrote “in the beginning” which is the same “beginning” as used in the book of John. According to John, the “we- witnesses” are as follows:
A. John the Baptist – the forerunner of Christ.
John 1:7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:8 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
B. Andrew – Peter’s brother, on of the disciples of John the Baptist.
John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
C. Simon Peter – one of the two disciples of John the Baptist.
John 1: 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
D. Philip – the evangelist.
John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
E.Nathaniel
John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel
These we-witnesses exclude, the scribes, Pharisees, the priest, the Levites and not the “people in general.” These we –witnesses, however, extended to include other Apostles and disciples as such recorded in the Book of Acts.
Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judasthe brother of James.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
II. Distinguish Relationship from Fellowship.
A key of understanding I John is to know the difference between the two words.
A. A relationship is established through Christ for “in Him was life”
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
B. A relationship assures of having the eternal life which was with both the Father and our Lord.
I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
I John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
C. This relationship resulted to a peace with God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
But what about the Fellowship that is two fellows in a ship. This is having the same mind. For how can two walk together except they be agreed. This is to beseech Euodas and Syntyche to be of the same mind. Fellowship is said to be in a joyous manner.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
I John 4:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
Thus a Relationship is having life and peace; a Fellowship on the other hand is joyfulness.
III. Identify the Recipients of the book of I John.
After identifying who were the “we-witnesses” and distinguished what is relationship from the Fellowship, it is now easy to identify who is “you” or the recipients of the book of I John. “You” according to Apostle John can be immediately identified as follows:
1. Little children
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
2. Brethren
1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
3. Family Church Members probably members of the church of Ephesus.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
The idea of “you” referring to the Gnostics is far from the truth.
God bless.
I. Identify who were these We- Witnesses
There’s a better way of understanding who these witnesses were in the light of the scriptures. Gleaning from the other writings of John, we can clear the smoke and weed out those that are not. Apostle John here wrote “in the beginning” which is the same “beginning” as used in the book of John. According to John, the “we- witnesses” are as follows:
A. John the Baptist – the forerunner of Christ.
John 1:7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:8 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
B. Andrew – Peter’s brother, on of the disciples of John the Baptist.
John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
C. Simon Peter – one of the two disciples of John the Baptist.
John 1: 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
D. Philip – the evangelist.
John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
E.Nathaniel
John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel
These we-witnesses exclude, the scribes, Pharisees, the priest, the Levites and not the “people in general.” These we –witnesses, however, extended to include other Apostles and disciples as such recorded in the Book of Acts.
Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judasthe brother of James.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
II. Distinguish Relationship from Fellowship.
A key of understanding I John is to know the difference between the two words.
A. A relationship is established through Christ for “in Him was life”
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
B. A relationship assures of having the eternal life which was with both the Father and our Lord.
I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
I John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
C. This relationship resulted to a peace with God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
But what about the Fellowship that is two fellows in a ship. This is having the same mind. For how can two walk together except they be agreed. This is to beseech Euodas and Syntyche to be of the same mind. Fellowship is said to be in a joyous manner.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
I John 4:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
Thus a Relationship is having life and peace; a Fellowship on the other hand is joyfulness.
III. Identify the Recipients of the book of I John.
After identifying who were the “we-witnesses” and distinguished what is relationship from the Fellowship, it is now easy to identify who is “you” or the recipients of the book of I John. “You” according to Apostle John can be immediately identified as follows:
1. Little children
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
2. Brethren
1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
3. Family Church Members probably members of the church of Ephesus.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
The idea of “you” referring to the Gnostics is far from the truth.
God bless.