Buy From Me

Neil Girrard
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Scriptures Referenced in This Article:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Prov. 12:15 π Mt. 7:14 π Mt. 7:21 π Mt. 12:36 π Mt. 13:28-29 π Mt. 13:40-42 π Mt. 15:14 π Mt. 19:23 π Mt. 22:2-14 π Mt. 22:3 π Mt. 22:6 π Mt. 22:11-13 π Mt. 22:13 π Mt. 22:15 π Mt. 24:12 π Mt. 25:24-28 π Lk. 5:32 π Lk. 13:24 π Lk. 14:27 π Lk. 17:7-10 π Lk. 19:40 π Jn. 3:3 π Jn. 3:5 π Jn. 6:29 π Jn. 7:17 π Jn. 10:27 π Jn. 14:6 π Jn. 16:13; 2nd π Acts 14:22 π Acts 20:27 π Acts 20:30 π Rom. 3:20 π Rom. 4:4 π Rom. 4:16 π Rom. 5:1 π Rom. 6:1 π Rom. 6:15 π Rom. 10:2 π Rom. 14:23 π 1 Cor. 2:6-7 π 1 Cor. 2:14 π 1 Cor. 5:11 π 1 Cor. 14:39-40 π 2 Cor. 1:20 π 2 Cor. 5:10 π 2 Cor. 6:17-18 π Eph. 2:8 π Eph. 2:10 π Eph. 6:12 π Col. 1:13 π Col. 1:15 π Col. 1:16-18 π Col. 4:16 π 2 Ths. 2:10-12 π 1 Tim. 6:13 π 2 Tim. 2:15 π 2 Tim. 3:1 π 2 Tim. 3:7 π Tit. 2:14 π Heb. 1:6 π Heb. 2:1 π Heb. 2:3 π Heb. 6:9 π Heb. 7:27 π Heb. 10:20 π Heb. 12:4 π Jas. 2:17; 2nd π Jas. 2:22 π 1 Pet. 4:12-14 π 2 Pet. 1:5 π 2 Pet. 1:6 π 2 Pet. 1:20-21 π Rev. 3:14; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th π Rev. 3:14-22 π Rev. 3:15 π Rev. 3:15-16 π Rev. 3:16 π Rev. 3:17; 2nd; 3rd π Rev. 3:18; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th π Rev. 3:19; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Rev. 3:20; 2nd π Rev. 3:21 π Rev. 3:22 π Rev. 4:4 π Rev. 6:11 π Rev. 7:9 π Rev. 7:12-13 π Rev. 14:6-11 π Rev. 16:9 π Rev. 17:16-18 π Rev. 18:4 π Rev. 18:18-19 π Rev. 19:5-6 π Rev. 19:5-9 π Rev. 19:7 π Rev. 19:8 π Rev. 19:9 π Rev. 19:10 π Rev. 19:14 π Rev. 20:12-13

Many people recognize that the letter to the ekklesia of Laodicea is related to a significant portion of people who claim to follow Christ. Since it is the last of seven letters, most take this to signify the prevalent condition of many people just prior to the time of Christ’s return. The statements Jesus makes to the Laodiceans certainly parallels Jesus’ prophecies about the end of the age and Paul’s prophecies of what must occur before Christ’s return. And though there are other valid interpretations of Laodicea (none of which rule out what has just been said), let us use this understanding as the basis for considering what Jesus says to the Laodiceans.

John was told:

“And to the messenger of the ekklesia in Laodicea write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew [spit or vomit] you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the ekklesias.”’” ( Rev. 3:14-22; top )

Depth

One of the characteristics of the Revelation is that big pictures race past us in very few words. This makes it very easy to misunderstand or misapply what has been said. In addition to this difficulty, we have been inundated with various interpretations of Jesus’ statements that are simply wrong. The source of these interpretations is something other than the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of Jesus. (see 2 Pet. 1:20-21 , Jn. 16:13 , Rev. 19:10; top ) You, the reader, are encouraged to look for yourself at each of the Scriptures referenced as we review the items of this short letter – and to recognize that there are depths in this short letter worthy of much consideration. Also, be encouraged to rely on the Spirit of truth – you may need to relinquish previously held understandings so that the truths of the Scriptures may be given to you.

Let us consider the items that occur in this letter to the Laodiceans:

The Wedding Feast

With this letter to the Laodiceans in view, let us contrast and compare another parable Jesus gave:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully (insolently), and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’

So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” ( Mt. 22:2-14; top )

The Pharisees knew that the parable had something to do with them because they proceeded next to plot against Jesus to entangle Him in what He said. ( Mt. 22:15; top ) But they could not know that this parable goes vastly beyond them and embraces a bird’s eye encapsulation of thousands of years of interactions between God and men. As with many prophetic warnings, applications can be made in various ways and the application can even be used to sway how one interprets this parable. In this case, the duality only keeps us from a dogmatic certainty as to the interpretation – it does not eradicate the application. Let us consider the key elements of this parable:

Inside the Hall

There is another picture given of what it will look like inside “the great wedding hall” when it is filled. John wrote:

Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thundering, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Then [the angel] said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” ( Rev. 19:5-9; top )

Let us review these astounding statements:

The Finished Work of Christ

There is perhaps no truth used to excuse followers of Christ of their responsibility to practice actual, observable deeds or works of righteousness than “the finished work of Christ.” This is due, in part, to the unassailable truth that Christ’s work is finished and there is nothing more that needs done nor indeed can be done to secure redemption and salvation for mankind. ( Heb. 7:27 , etc.) To look to anyone else, especially ourselves, or to any thing else for salvation and reconciliation with God is misguided, at best. But it is ludicrous beyond all imagination to suppose that God has spent thousands of years leading men toward righteousness and then sent His own Son to die in our place just so that we can practice whatever sort of unrighteousness we like and prefer. Grace was not poured out for and upon mankind so that we could continue on unchecked in our imperfections but so that we could be raised up out of the bondage of our imperfection. ( Rom. 6:1 , 15 , etc.; top)

It has been rightly pointed out by various teachers of the gospel throughout the ages that there are two aspects of the cross – His cross and mine. Christ carried His cross and He completed His work. Now He says, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” ( Lk. 14:27 ) Christ’s work made it possible for me to do my work in Him. My work is to believe and, because I believe, follow and obey. This following and obedience is not a “work” of which we can boast – we are indeed “unprofitable servants,” at best, in this business of following and obeying the Lord. (see Lk. 17:7-10 ) The Lord could raise up stones better at following and obeying and bringing Him glory and honor than what we bring to the table! ( Lk. 19:40 , etc.; top)

The finished work of Christ opened up a new and living way by which we may enter the kingdom and presence of God. ( Heb. 10:20 ) – a way which we take up and press into and persevere and endure. ( Acts 14:22 , etc.) There is a gate and a path which leads to life but few find that way. ( Mt. 7:14; top ) It is immensely silly to suppose that Christ opened up the way so that we could huddle around the gate! It would be ludicrous to imagine that Christ would command us to take up our cross but then bend over and carry it for us. By all means, it is His strength and His power (grace) by which we carry the cross and follow after Him but it is our hands that hold the cross and our feet which move down the path. The only alternative is that our hands grab onto whatever pleases us and our feet take us back to the path that leads to destruction. The finished work of Christ allows and enables me to co-labor with Christ – it does not excuse me from having to report for duty!

“Theology” gives many such excuses and has produced many high-sounding but false and deceptive errors – “once saved, always saved,” “faith alone” and “hyper-grace” being but some of the more prominent ones at this time. Truth contradicts much “theology” but men prefer “theology” nonetheless. Truth differs from any creed or statement of beliefs because, though they may contain truth, they simply are not the Truth. The Truth, the whole counsel of God, is a Person. ( Jn. 14:6 , Acts 20:27; top ) Once our creeds or beliefs are written down on paper or memorized or whatever, these become our focus rather than Him. When this happens, it is man’s understanding, and not God’s will or the mind of Christ, that becomes the standard of what men call “life and godliness.” This is just what man does – it is a facet of his existence. It is the “secret” behind how man can hide in his religious nature.

To be a “Laodicean” goes beyond sewing on fig leaves to cover one’s sin. It is to say, “I’m not naked” and then proceed to walk down the street with no concept of not having any clothes on. It is to say, “I’m not miserable” and then proceed to work or entertain or eat or drink or distract one’s self into oblivion. It is to say “I’m not poor” while feasting on the refuse and dung piles of the flesh and of this world. It is to say, “I’m not wretched” while using cosmetics and perfumes to hide the stench and ugliness of one’s rotten and dead flesh. It is to say, “I’m not blind” and then refusing to leave one’s pitch-black dungeon to step into real light.

To show up at the wedding feast without a wedding garment is the same as receiving a large sum of money and burying it in the ground so that the master receives no increase. ( Mt. 25:24-28 ) The Lord of life has graciously given us His life and He intends that we use that life to bring about even more life. Far too long have we allowed “theologians” to blind us to the fact that there are works that rightly and legitimately “accompany salvation” ( Heb. 6:9 ) and in so doing we have neglected our great and wondrous salvation. ( Heb. 2:1 , 3; top ) He who has rejected Christ and His gospel will not be able on judgment day to turn to his favorite “theologian” for a second opinion nor find in that man one who is able to save his soul from eternal death. Only Christ is able to do this and we need to return to Him His rightful place of prestige, honor and preeminence in our lives in all things.

Corrie Ten Boom has rightly observed, “Surrender to the Lord is not a tremendous sacrifice, not an agonizing performance. It is the most sensible thing you can do.” (Each New Day, Jan. 26) It is much more sensible than to plow through life unaware of one’s own pitiful condition or to arrive improperly attired at the most important wedding feast that will ever occur in human history.

Let he who has ears hear.


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