May 24, 2022 – Tuesday
Revelation 3:19 NIV
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Revelation 3:19 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
19 As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins!
Comment.
Jesus is addressing the church of Laodicea, the last church He will address and the fifth of seven with a direction to repent. In the NIV He says, So be earnest and repent while in the CJB He says, so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins! Many versions instead have So be zealous and repent.
Whether a version has zealous or earnest or exert yourselves, the message is clear. Do not in any way be half hearted in your repentance, in your turning from your sins. This is Jesus expressing His love for the church by way of rebuking and disciplining it. He cares. He wants the church and those within it to be saved.
This is a church in deep deep trouble. In verses 14-18, He has nothing positive to say about the church unlike the others He seeks to bring to repentance, 14b These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 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. The rebuke and discipline are given in the hopes of avoiding condemnation.
What is to be done? Even though the church borders on outright disaster, Jesus lovingly offers the opportunity to listen to His rebuke and discipline and return to Him. The Laodiceans would have to repent in such a manner there would be a revival of their love and devotion to Christ.
Bottom Line: It is so easy to slip into the habit of church and prayer without one’s heart and soul being involved, no longer hot nor cold. Jesus’ message is clear, revive your love for your Savior and Lord.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Please help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and our eternal home instead of drifting away. Help us to always remember we are only visitors in this world. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek