Have Need of Nothing?

As Jesus was talking to the church of Laodicea in Rev.3, he verbalizes the thoughts of their hearts, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:“vs.17. To those who err as Christians, or who have never know the Savior, the feeling that we “have need of nothing” is a very deceiving attitude to have. It is rooted in pride and haughtiness. Jesus can never help anyone who feels such self-sufficiency of heart, for they will see no need for the Savior. The first of the beatitudes strikes this pride at the root, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt.5:3. We must see “our righteousness” as filthy rags (literally menstrual clothes). Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” We are spiritually bankrupt before the Lord, and the one who sees this will come to Jesus that he or she may do something about their spiritual destitution. Jesus warned and promised in Matt.23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” When we abase or humble ourselves before the Lord, crying out for his mercy and grace, then God moves in compassion to exalt such a one who responds to his will by belief and obedience. But the self exalting one, the proud person, God will humble in the end, if not in time. Such as he did to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. We need to see how exceeding sinful our sin is before the Lord. “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”Rom 7:13. To do any less is to deceive ones self, and withhold the grace of God from our lives. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6. Have you humbled your self before the Lord yet? Don’t wait till its too late.
Dan McKibben

Read more

Search Articles

Search

Related Articles

Do you feel something is missing?

Archive

Archive

Tough Questions About the Bible
(November 2-5, 2023)

You have questions about the Bible, but when was the last time you looked for the answers?

Join us November 2-5 for answers to some of the Bible’s toughest questions! More info can be found here.

santa clara church of Christ