Practical Christionics
"Control freaks" in Heaven?

The Bible has much to say about hanging on to 'things' or 'people'. There was a lot of materialism in Laodicea.....there is a lot of materialism in present churches (nice edifices and lots of programs for everyone cost MONEY). But here is what John was told to write to the church at Laodicea about materialism and who is in control of your life.
    For a church so involved in materialism (apparently from all the wealth of the city), to ask them to "BUY" points an accusing finger at them and says they don't have everything SPIRITUALLY. In fact, they have just enough spiritualism to make them "lukewarm".
     
  1. so that you may be rich.

    2. The spiritual process of buying starts with repentance, the turning over of one's self. Then one acquires GOD (Jesus = GOLD) and eternal riches (LIFE). The Word of God is solid GOLD - John 7:16-18. Then a transformation takes place - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, a strengthening inside us - Ephesians 3:14-19, and a preparation for the trials sure to come - 1 Peter 1:3-9.
     
  2. Buy WHITE CLOTHES from me.
    3.           No good to just buy the clothes....they had to put them on
  1. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see.

    2. Eye ointment helps with dry eyes, pink eye, and allergy control. Symbolically, the ointment impedes the "dazzling splendor" of the world's light (maybe that is why the eyes are dry?). The devil can make material things look so good. But eye ointment has another function: that of healing. It opens understanding to the hope of our calling - Ephesians 1:18; it removes the world's blinders - 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

    This verse indicates that the lukewarmness of Laodicea is not the laxity of Christians but rather the condition of not really knowing Christ. They may have accepted Him as their Savior BUT they have kept control of their life, i.e. haven't made Him their Lord.

    The risks are very high to say you have accepted Christ and yet be driven by riches (the love of money - 1 Timothy 6:3-10); to make it into the kingdom becomes very difficult indeed (Matthew 19:16-30). Look at what Jesus said has to be given up (verse 29), "And everyone who gave up HOMES, BROTHERS or SISTERS, FATHER, MOTHER, CHILDREN, or FIELDS because of my name will receive a hundred times more and WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE." Wow, it looks like we have to give up those closest and dearest to us, and to give up our 'THINGS' (Homes and Fields). It is so difficult to do, I know.