Tom

There is a tread dedicated to find that answere...

Is that right?

The Costly Wares of Heaven.--The wares of heaven are offered to our churches. Every individual needs to have a decided interest in the invitation of Christ. Brethren and sisters, are your thoughts after this order? "These sharp, decided words do not mean me; I am in a fairly good condition spiritually, though I may not have all the fervor and zeal that some have. I believe the truth. Those to whom this message belongs may take it. I think some need it." You who think and reason thus, be assured that you are the very ones to whom this message belongs. While the costly wares of heaven are open before you, draw nigh and buy that which you have lost--the gold of love and faith, and the white raiment which is the righteousness of Christ (Letter 30a, 1892). {7BC 964.9}

Virtues Wanting Among Us.--The gold that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eyesalve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned (RH April 1, 1890). {7BC 965.1}

(Isa. 64:6; Phil. 3:9.) Ample Provision for All.--The true Witness has said, "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." What is the shame of this nakedness and poverty? It is the shame of clothing ourselves with self-righteousness, and of separating ourselves from God, when He has made ample provision for all to receive His blessing (HS 139). {7BC 965.2}

(Ch. 7:14.) Encouraging Counsel for the Church.--The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure. "Buy of me gold . . . that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb (RH July 24, 1888). {7BC 965.3}

(Isa. 61:10; Zech. 3:4, 5.) Woven in the Loom of Heaven.--There is nothing in us from which we can clothe the soul so that its nakedness shall not appear. We are to receive the robe of righteousness woven in the loom of heaven, even the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness (RH July 19, 1892). {7BC 965.4}

(Matt. 6:22; James 1:23-25.) Correct Views for the Conscience.-- The eye is the sensitive conscience, the inner light, of the mind. Upon its correct view of things the spiritual healthfulness of the whole soul and being depends. The "eyesalve," the Word of God, makes the conscience smart under its application; for it convicts of sin. But the smarting is necessary that the healing may follow, and the eye be single to the glory of God. The sinner, beholding himself in God's great moral looking glass, sees himself as God views him, and exercises repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.... {7BC 965.5}

The Laodiceans . . . were not entirely blind, else the eyesalve would have done nothing to restore their sight, and enable them to discern the true attributes of Christ. Says Christ, By renouncing your own self-sufficiency, giving up all things, however dear to you, you may buy the gold, the raiment, and the eyesalve that you may see (RH Nov. 23, 1897). {7BC 965.6}

It is the message of Christ's rightouesness which awakens one. It is the goodness of God which leads to repentance. If we want to see revival and repentance, the means to accomplish this is to present God's goodness as it is in Christ. When Christ's character is perceived, it's contrast to our own is discerned.

It looks like the Laodecian condition is one of laziness because they think they haveit all, when Christ says they have nothing, and are in bad shape.
Ultimately we need to be out there sharing the Gospel with others, and if we do not have the Holy Spirit then we cannot do this because we really wont care to do it cause we think "we have it made".
Am I on the right track with this thought so far?
God Bless,
Will

What would happen if all the church elders and pastors who lead mainly lukewarm congregations would lead the way to some serious focused searching of Gods kingdom, His will, His presence? It would do the churches more good I think to truly start puting God first than to merely hear a sermon on how little fruit they show...

/Thomas

I agree about the futility of the need-to-show-fruit part, but think the driving point needs to be not putting God first but an emphasis on God's goodness. It's the goodness of God which leads to repentance, so that is what we need to see.

The whole purpose of Christ's ministry was to reveal God's character in order that men might be set right with Him. That should be the purpose of our ministry as well.