“You have gone away from My ordinances
And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,
Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:7 NKJV
The Lord proclaims over and over through his prophets to His people –
Repent and return to Me, and I will relent from my chastisement and I will return to you.
I will return the light of my countenance upon you and will be merciful to you.
Only, repent!
To the church at Laodicea, Christ sends this message to the messenger.
“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. 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.” Revelation 3:15-18 NKJV
They are condemned for their luke warmness. They were neither hot or cold and Christ said he would vomit them out of His mouth unless they repent.
They were blind and yet they claimed that they could see. They were in need of being clothed by Christ in His righteousness, and yet claimed to have no need. They claimed to be rich and have no need which Christ could supply. This is a sad state for the church.
Christ proclaimed that he would remove their candlestick, the symbol of His presence among them, unless they repent and return to Him. “Ichabod” (the glory of the Lord has departed) will be their name. The glory and countenance of God will be removed far from them.
He is never far from His people and always ready to receive them when they repent. He declares that He stands ready at the door and knocks.
He bids them to repent and when they hear His voice and open the door in repentance, He will return His favor to them. His chastening is not because He is a capricious God, but rather because He desires that they return to Him in repentance and obedience.
“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.” Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV
Do you find yourself far from the living God?
Are you neglecting the One who has redeemed you?
Are you neglecting the means He has given for you to draw near unto Him?
Guess who moved away?
Repent and return when you stray from Him and His favor will be returned unto you.
He will no longer hide the light of His countenance from you when you repent and turn back to Him.
Terry Miller
Revelation 3:19-20