Pure Gold

“To the messenger of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” [1]

“Thus says the Lord’ is the introductory phrase used most frequently in messages from God to people. In this passage, our resurrected and glorified redeemer Jesus Christ identifies Himself as the faithful and true witness. His testimonies are 100% dependable. Creation began with Him.

Now, that we know who is speaking to us, let us listen to what He has to say to us.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” [2]

What do you get when you mix cold and hot water together? The answer is lukewarm water!

How many of us are in comfortable places where we feel at liberty to turn the Lord on and turn Him off as we would a TV with a remote? One minute, we are praying, reading our Bible and worshipping God, and the next minute, we Him turn off and act as though He is does not matter. When we do this, we are being hot and cold with the Lord. We are yielding a lukewarm, mediocre, unworthy witness for the One whose hands and feet were pierced for us on the cross for us.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” [3]

Gold that has been withheld from the Refiner’s fire is not pure. Dross compromises gold’s beauty and strength. Who can remove the dross from our lives? Can we? No, only Jesus! Jesus is the Messiah that the prophet Malachi spoke of, saying...

“Who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness.” [4]

Among those who produce fine products, a conscientious employee with excellent production skills is cherished. The goldsmith wants an excellent refiner. The cleaner seeks one who is excellent at removing stains. The Lord is looking for servants who give Him their best effort. Their sacrifices, their self-denials, their going the extra mile, say to Him...

“Lord, you are more precious than silver,
Lord, you are more costly than gold.
Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares with you.” [5]

Actions demonstrate what is in our hearts. Little action little love. No offerings no value.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [6]

Repentance should not be an outcast among God’s people. We should welcome the gift of repentance into our gathering places. We need Jesus to correct us. We need Jesus to guide us.

“Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” [7]

No one reaches professional status without yielding body, soul and mind to the disciplines that fine tune abilities. Is Jesus a hobby to us or our all and all?

Our Lord is calling out to us, saying, “Come, follow Me.” “Be My disciple!” “Learn from Me!”

“Yes, Lord, my door is open to You. Please do come in and refine me. Make me pure gold! I want to be with You and with Your Father in Your eternal kingdom.”

[1] Revelation 3:14
[2] Revelation 3:15-16
[3] Revelation 3:17-18
[4] Malachi 3:2-3
[5] More Precious than Silver, by Lynn Deshazo (C) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[6] Revelation 3:19-22
[7] Romans 2:4