Rev 3:18-19 (KJV) 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
English: Laodicea – Lycos Français : Laodicée du Lycos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Naked!
There’s more to clothing than what we put on our bodies. Like our physical bodies, our minds and spirits are likewise clothed. Our education, jobs and family roles are just a few of the many types of “coverings” we acquire as we journey through this life.
Just as there are times of adding things to our physical and spiritual being, there is also a time of stripping away. While it is true that many live a lifetime without being truly exposed and seen for who they are, such is not the fate for the children of God who seek after righteousness. It is the way of the Lord to chasten and rebuke His children.
In today’s verses, Jesus is telling the church at Laodicea to buy gold tried in the fire and white raiment to cover the shame of their nakedness. Earlier in the chapter, the Lord sternly rebuke d this church because they were “lukewarm” or “neither hot nor cold.” In other words, they were not firm in their commitment to Jesus. In failing to put on the righteousness of Christ, they had refused the spiritual covering offered by the Lord.
The Laodiceans had pride, but they did not have Jesus. Because they didn’t have Jesus, they were bereft of righteousness and spiritually naked. Pride and self-righteousness cannot cover and protect the human heart, soul or spirit. They give our minds the “sense” or feeling of a covering, but in the eyes of God, absence of righteousness is absolute nakedness.
Sometimes the Lord has to physically strip us of the things we cling to before we can see just how naked and defenseless we are. Like people addicted to drugs or alcohol, sometimes we have to hit bottom: lose a job, a spouse or child, or even our health before we know just how absolutely helpless we are.
For Christians, being stripped of external coverings is used by the Lord to cleanse us. Just as a tree is pruned so that it can bear more fruit, the Lord cuts away the dead branches of evil habits, thoughts, desires and realities from our lives. Those who value their wealth, education, and job positions can love these things more than they love the Lord. This is idolatry. So, losing a job or having our educational goals stalled can be a wake-up call for those who do not see that these things are a gift from God, and it is He Who should be praised for making them possible.
Have you been stripped of a prized title or possession? How did it make you feel? Like Adam, did you run to cover yourself with the fig leaves of family, friends, drugs, alcohol or sex? When you heard the Lord call your name, did you run away?
Friend, there is no hiding from God; for “All things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). Repent now. There is no state so low that the love of God cannot raise you up. Reach out for the hand of the Lord at all times. He is the only true Guardian and covering for your soul.
May these words educate, comfort and encourage you to pray today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
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