"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
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(18) Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined {and} tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. (19) Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict {and} convince {and} reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic {and} in earnest {and} burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. (20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears {and} listens to {and} heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.

Amplified® Bible copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Christians are the victims of an age that is apathetic to a true relationship with God. Would anybody honestly admit that he would not care to eat a meal with and fellowship with Jesus Christ? Yet, He is reporting that in His own church, some know that He is at the door, yet will not rouse themselves to answer it and fellowship with Him! They are refusing to fellowship with Him. They are so far from Him that they do not even see their need. If there is no awareness of need, there is no desire; no desire, no prayer; no prayer, no relationship, and back to no awareness of need. It runs in a vicious circle.

God hopes that He can stir us up enough to repent and break out of the cycle—by rekindling an awareness of need. Awareness of need is in us because we are close enough to Him to see clearly how holy, gracious, kind, merciful, and good He is, and then we will want to be like He is. In other words, we so admire and respect Him and His qualities that we want to be near Him and will chase after Him, diligently seeking after Him like a lover seeking after his love. We will exalt Him and seek to honor Him by being like Him. This is what happens when two people are in love. That is why God uses the Bridegroom/Bride and wedding analogies. It is our responsibility to seek Him with all our might—with everything in us.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Prayer and Fervency



 

Topics:

Apathy

Awareness of Need

Bride/Bridegroom Analogy

Dating Metaphor

Prayer

Prayer's Purpose

Relationship with Christ

Relationship with God

Wedding Analogy




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