For Free! | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: For Free! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elaine Hemingway
01/10/19
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Rev 3:17,18
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
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.

Revelation from the Lord regarding the end times used messages to the seven churches of the day, all equally important to the church of today. It is commonly supposed that we are living in the prophetic time of the Laodicean church to whom these words were first proclaimed.

In Isaiah 55:1 read: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; you who have no money, come buy and eat.

For what should we hunger and thirst? The Word of God!

“No tax on hope” was the inscription in my childhood autograph book, written by a celebrity.

“Born to shop” was the sign on my sister-in-law’s little jalopy, lent to us after our own car had been involved in an accident.

“Salvation is free” proclaimed a church bulletin.

How many little phrases can we conjure up to brighten our days?

But I had a dire need of something money can’t buy – Forgiveness. I had realised that a burden of guilt and regret could not be assuaged by any earthly effort. Shopping therapy, as urged by my sister-in-law, brought no respite. I was a slave without realising it.

My problem was being a people pleaser. But one can’t keep everyone content. From childhood, I sought approval and carried the concept into adulthood. Being loved regardless was not understood though I am sure through no fault of my parents, it was something I had worked out for myself. I had to be good to be loved. People pleasing leads to compromise, condoning of sinful behaviour and, inevitably, a lukewarm relationship with God.

In modern day living there are many forms of slavery, and from some, freedom can be bought. For most, it is a costly purchase as addiction in its many forms, such as alcoholism, drugs, gambling, sex and others are all types of worship to false gods. Habits that take the place of worship of the One True God brings us into the same positions as the people of Laodicea.

Sometimes we go to the Lord with a shopping list of requests that we think would help us on our way. We ask for healing or prosperity presuming that because God is All, has All and does All, He is prepared to give All. But that is not so. He wants the best for us, not necessarily what we think will be best.

If you are part of a lively, Spirit-led Church you are probably living in a country of Christian persecution. Persecution demands strength, - or compromise. Look at the early church. Their faith produced a total commitment to serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Look at the later church of Laodicea and see a luke-warm fellowship, content in their deceptive self-sufficiency.

Look at Europe and see prosperity and democracy that fights within itself but places no reliance on the church, which, to all intents and purposes, has generally, become toothless and intolerant of the truth of Scripture.

1 Peter 1:7 speaks of ‘the proven genuineness of your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire.

Imperishable gold which should result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed is vital.

The White garments that are required remind me of the emperor who did not realise he was naked in a children’s story. What is needed now is the garment of Righteousness found only in Christ to clothe our spiritual nakedness.

Eye salve that the illuminating Holy Spirit can provide to open the scriptures is also necessary in our generation.

1Thessalonians 5:23. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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