This message is written for the church of Laodicea; it also is a powerful message for Christians today to deepen and enhance their relationships with God. My ears perked up when it said I was being “counseled” to do three things. The three Heaven-sent outcomes in this verse provide a good motivation for understanding it.
Buying gold that is refined by fire is about making Jesus Lord of your life. Are you willing to trade the treasures of this world for God’s treasures? Upon coming into a saving relationship with Christ you are challenged to devote all your life to Him: yourself, spouse, family, job, hobbies, relationships, sports, etc. Up to the point of your salvation, these areas reflected your life in the world. Making Jesus Lord can be messy which points to the process of refinement. As you make Jesus Lord of all the spheres of your life, your heart, mind, will, and emotions will be brought out of the dominion of this world into God’s dominion. A life that reflects God’s values and character
The final thing you are to do is to put salve on your eyes. Though you are a new creation in Christ, you continue to live in your old body which makes life murky and unclear. Listening and responding to the Holy Spirit creates clarity for living in this dark world. Psalm 119:18 amplifies the Holy Spirit giving you clarity to live life in all God’s abundance and ways: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” (NIV)
I have found in my walk with Christ that His “counsel” is pretty good!
1 Peter 1:7 “These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory
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Here are some Bible studies from Growing in Christ to help your transformative experience: “Discipleship” and “Satisfaction.”