The Darkness of Our Natural Way

Revelation3:17

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

In Jesus' message to the church of Laodicea, He warns of the danger of becoming lukewarm in our relationship with Him and lukewarm in our application of His teachings in our lives.  His message is so relevant today as we allow the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Word to be largely diminished as we find ourselves trying to fit into the norms of our deviant society.  

The teachings of Jesus can seem out of all proportion with our natural way of considering things.  In fact, reading His teachings can lead to astonishing discomfort.  Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, it may be challenging for us to rationalize the inerrant teaching in the Word.

The corruption of the world has become so commonplace that it is often overlooked and at times completely approved of as acceptable behavior.  The Word of God magnifies the differences between the ways of Our Risen Lord and the ways of the world.  When the Holy Spirit leads us to see the power and joy in the lifestyle of Jesus Christ, we begin the process of gaining victory over the wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked man we once were.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son to show us the way, the truth and the life that is available to us through our salvation and the daily working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We pray that You will shine Your light on the world so that all the darkness is exposed for what it is.  We ask You to show us where we are moving toward the darkness and away from Your perfect light.  We pray that the Holy Spirit will instruct us and strengthen us as we fully surrender to living in the fullness of Jesus Christ, settling for nothing less that the world might offer.  May we be set on fire as disciples of Jesus.  May we boldly proclaim the truth in Your Holy Word.  May we be light to the darkness in the world around us.  We ask all these things in the name of the Lord of all the earth, Jesus Christ.