Matthew 18:At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[The Desire Of Ages. pp 437] Very tenderly, yet with solemn emphasis, Jesus tried to correct the evil. He showed what is the principle that bears sway in the kingdom of heaven, and in what true greatness consists, as estimated by the standard of the courts above. It was not enough for the disciples of Jesus to be instructed as to the nature of His kingdom. What they needed was a change of heart that would bring them into harmony with its principles.
In the third chapter of Revelation, Laodicea seems to suffer with the same problem of “Good Behavior Versus True Conversion” for the right things are being done, and for all intents and purposes, it may seem to the casual observer that the church is on a roll to glory.
But when The True Witness drills down a bit deeper He discovers something disturbing happening with many church members, for like the disciples of old, some are behaving really well, others have become contended with the status quo, and stagnation has taken a toll on growth, because our good behaviors have usurped the place that true conversion should have.
Revelation 3:Revelation 3: 14 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. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!