Revelation 2 & 3 George Badeaux
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 Jesus speaks about problems to seven churches. The first church and the last church have a very similar problem. To the church at Ephesus He says, "You have lost your first love." And to the church at Laodicea He says, "You are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were either one or the other...you are lukewarm." When we have this heart for the Lord, it is likely that we have fallen victim to the oldest lie on the planet.
Satan said to Eve (and Adam?), "You will not surely die." In addition to this lie, there are at least 3 other lies that might be believed from this one statement. First he claimed God lied. Second, if God lied then He is not good like He claims. And third, Adam and Eve tell themselves (as we also do), "I don't believe God really has my best in mind. I don't trust Him. I will decide what is best for me, not God."
Satan said to Eve (and Adam?), "You will not surely die." In addition to this lie, there are at least 3 other lies that might be believed from this one statement. First he claimed God lied. Second, if God lied then He is not good like He claims. And third, Adam and Eve tell themselves (as we also do), "I don't believe God really has my best in mind. I don't trust Him. I will decide what is best for me, not God."
In other words...
1. "God is not good."
2. "I have good in me that allows me to choose my way over God's."
Both are lies.
In Mk 10:18 Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone." Rom 3:10,11 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one...there is no one who does good, not even one." And in Psalm 16:2 David says, "I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord ; I have no good besides You." These are truths. However, it is possible (I know this from personal experience) to believe them in our head, but not in our heart. This head-but-not-heart belief is common among believers. The result is we are burdened with weights we are not meant to bear. It keeps us from walking in the freedom and grace and love that God intends for us to enjoy. Are you trying to be good enough? Are you comparing yourself to others to see if you are good enough? Please stop worrying about whether you are good enough to be close to God. You are not. In fact it is impossible. Only Jesus could do that. Please meditate on this until it moves from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Know the truth in your heart and you will feel the freedom of the weight of the burden being cast aside. Trust Jesus. He IS your only goodness and righteousness.
If we believe the lies, even just a little, our love can grow lukewarm. But when we start to really comprehend the truth of how great God's goodness, and glory, and love for us are, especially in comparison to our own, the vastness of the difference produces in us love and trust and worship and zeal that are deep and enduring, not lukewarm.
In Mk 10:18 Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone." Rom 3:10,11 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one...there is no one who does good, not even one." And in Psalm 16:2 David says, "I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord ; I have no good besides You." These are truths. However, it is possible (I know this from personal experience) to believe them in our head, but not in our heart. This head-but-not-heart belief is common among believers. The result is we are burdened with weights we are not meant to bear. It keeps us from walking in the freedom and grace and love that God intends for us to enjoy. Are you trying to be good enough? Are you comparing yourself to others to see if you are good enough? Please stop worrying about whether you are good enough to be close to God. You are not. In fact it is impossible. Only Jesus could do that. Please meditate on this until it moves from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Know the truth in your heart and you will feel the freedom of the weight of the burden being cast aside. Trust Jesus. He IS your only goodness and righteousness.
If we believe the lies, even just a little, our love can grow lukewarm. But when we start to really comprehend the truth of how great God's goodness, and glory, and love for us are, especially in comparison to our own, the vastness of the difference produces in us love and trust and worship and zeal that are deep and enduring, not lukewarm.
Reject the oldest lie. Walk in the full knowledge of this truth. God is the greatest good, and He is completely good! Any good that is in me is not from me. It is from God. And His good desire is "God with us!" His DESIRE is "God with you! God in you!"...today, tomorrow, and forever. Trust Him--He is worthy.
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