“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Revelation 3:14)

I don’t mean for my title to sound so condescending or reproachful, but consider for a moment how shallow the church of our day has become. Our theology is based upon systematics rather than emphatic truth. We’ve become so physical in our approach to the things of God; we are missing the reality of spirituality.

Where does a Laodicean Church regain its position of purity and the ability to see the things of God from a spiritual perspective? I believe our answer can be found in Experiencing God.

Experiencing God is an awesome reality that is brought to our experience through the straight and narrow way of suffering. Jesus tells the Laodicean believers, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire...” (Revelation 3:18).

This is one of the shames of the modern-day church. We run from such adverse circumstances, and do not value the fiery trials that are to test us. Rather than suffer for righteousness sake, we compromise truth. Instead of standing against infidels, we bow to their inclinations and wishes; stripping ourselves of any worthwhile dignity. To our own detriment, we are molding our whole collective body of modern-day believers into a mindset that Ecumenicalism is the new way; and for the sake of false peace, let’s all jump into Jezebel’s bed of harlotry. Such perversion of the truth is a gateway to destruction and must be opposed for His Name’s Sake.

Such opposition will bring extreme persecution; but will produce, in time, a spiritual man of God. I believe it would be an understatement to say that Christ was a very spiritual man – considering exactly who Christ was, as God manifest in the flesh.

But as we observe His life, we see it was full of extreme opposition because of His failure to conform to the traditions and doctrines of men. He would not bow to a fallen religious system, nor would He allow a fallen world to conform Him to a seedbed of harlotry that was full of hypocrisy and traditionalism. While Jews preached in synagogues, Jesus was preaching truth from a borrowed ship. While the religious leaders of the day pushed away people in need of compassion, Jesus was touching lives that seemed to be beyond repair.

He truly was the perfect example of a Man of God that faced opposition at all costs; as He stood for truth in a way that was never known before, neither will ever be known again, unless we look to the Scriptures.

The answer and solution to the shame of the modern-day church is not a program. It is not bowing to one another for the sake of “Peace and Unity” that is at the heart, against everything that God stands for.

The solution to this epic problem that is enveloping American’s society is to stand!! Stand with our loins girt about with Truth at all costs, preparing our minds and hearts to enter the most turbulent of times for the sake of Truth. Lawlessness will continue to rise. Hypocrisy will continue to be displayed; and deception will be the results. That deception being “I’m a spiritual person” – but at the heart of such a person, carnality reigns.

Take up your cross. Follow Jesus and become the true spiritual man God has called you to be as He burns the dross off of our hearts through the fiery trials of suffering.