Shade Tree Wisdom 2/3/09

Another sunny and rather warm day. The paper this morning called Texas a tinderbox and some counties have issued burn bans. This has been the 6th driest January in recorded history, nearly 3 inches less than normal rainfall. And the Midwest is receiving more snow, and Kentucky is still struggling with the aftermath of that ice storm.

And today, in 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. That’s the one that provides for federal income tax.

Life goes on, doesn’t it?

I’ve been reading again in the Book of Revelation the letters to the seven churches. I was especially drawn to the letter to the seventh church, at Laodicea in chapter 3, 14-22. It was a city in Asia Minor situated in the Lycos valley. The city was founded by Antiochus II and named after his wife, Laodike. The emperor populated it with Syrians and Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia. It was of little consequence till the Roman province of Asia was formed in 190 B.C. Then suddenly it became a wealthy center of industry. It was famous for the fine black wool of its sheep. Phrygian powder for the eyes was manufactured there. (3,18). It had a school of medicine and was home for extensive banking operations. A wealthy city, so much so that when earthquakes destroyed it, citizens rejected the offer of aid from Rome and rebuilt at their own expense.

Paul probably never visited there, but Christianity was probably introduced by Timothy, Mark, and Epaphras (Col. 1,7). It was the seat of a Bishop.

This is the Christian Church now called to account. Rich, self-sufficient, worldly, and that is what the letter mentions especially. You wear tattered clothes and aren’t aware of it! You’re stale, stagnant, self-sufficient, and say, “I need nothing”, and aren’t aware of how terrible your condition really is. Get eye salve from ME so you can see, let me furnish white clothing, dress you properly.

Then the letter adds, “The people I love, I rebuke and chasten, so repent, and I will sup with you.”

One of the dangers of the church is just that, becoming proud of who and what we are, and stopping to read His Book to see what He has for me today. They are not condemned for a specific doctrinal error, but for “luke warmness”. That can be fatal.

Complacent, stopping to do what Peter urges, “Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Taking on the thoughts and actions of the world around us without thinking it through, simply doing what the world about us does and neglecting to look at issues and principles in the light of God’s Word.

I Pray the Lord preserve us from that illness, and keep us “only unto Him” till He calls us home.

GPD 2/3/09