“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 3:17-18

Those who think they have everything they need, those who think they’re rich – these are actually the poor. Look at the cathedrals and mega-churches – how they truly believe they are rich – but there is no life in them, for life doesn’t dwell in gold and silver and ivory and brass. In fact, the accumulation of these things kills life, shifts the focus of the eyes onto false richness, on “prosperity,” while blinding them to the life of God that doesn’t come with these things.

Those who think they are ‘good,’ who comfort themselves that they do good works and are therefore going to heaven, these are the naked, not clothed with the righteousness of Christ, but with their own righteousness.

Those who think they see, and follow rites and rituals that they grew up learning to do, these are the blind. It’s not rituals, it’s not religion, it’s being born again that saves a person. Religion, in fact, can prevent one from being born again because religion makes a person “feel” they are saved, when they very well might not be.

When the Lord says, “I counsel you…” — heed that command. Reread what he said, then follow it.

MORE:

What Does ‘Born Again’ Mean?