Revelation 3:17-18 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
The Laodiceans evidently had earthly wealth and prosperity. They were successful from the outside. But their inside spiritual lives were lacking. In modern terms, they were materialistic and caught up in the pleasures of this world. They felt that they were healthy and happy. Their wealth was only a façade, a white wash. They had been blinded by the false promises of this world. The type or riches they need is the gold provided by Jesus. This gold, however, comes at a high cost of going through the fire. Fire is sometimes used in the Bible as a symbol of suffering or trials. This church needed to count the cost of following Jesus. They needed to be purified and made holy. Holiness will require us to go through the challenge of consecration. The way to new life is through the cross. The way of holiness brings clarity to our lives.
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