Unblinded by the Light

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” - Revelation 3:17

I don’t have all the answers; but I can see with crisp sharp vision. My eyes are wide open and my mind crystal clear. There is no blindfold over these eyes.

It’s not because of my money (of which I don’t have much) or the things I own; it’s not through my works or because I go to church on Sunday. I am saved by the Grace of God through my relationship with Jesus Christ.

Yes, I am rich, but not in the way the world thinks of wealth. My life overflows in richness, meaning and purpose in Christ. He blesses me in ways money cannot buy.

He loves me through my beautiful wife whose heart overflows with gold. He loves me through my son who’s becoming more of a man with each passing day. Had I planned my own life from the beginning, I couldn’t have scripted in two better people with which to share all life has to offer. We have love; we have His love; we have everything.

I’ve come to realize that God has created each of us so uniquely, so profoundly different in gifts, talents, personalities, and attitudes, that there is no one way we could possibly do church. Even ekklēsia, the Greek word most often used for church in the New Testament, does not literally translate as church. Instead, it denotes more of a coming together (or assembly) for worship. It’s an action more than an institution.

I’m of the mindset this coming together, this ekklēsia, will look different dependent on who is coming together. Each group has different needs, both individually and as an entity. And each group has its own unique collection of gifts and talents.

Setting aside for a moment my general membership in the Body of Christ, my family, and my circle of friends, there are three main groups I come together with in my Christian walk. There’s my church, the Bible study group I teach on Sundays, and the home-based small group my wife and I attend on Mondays. And, as I reflect on each of those groups right now, I can see how different each one is – and with purpose!

Each group meets in its own unique setting with its own unique collection of people. And each one grows me closer to Christ in its own way. And each ekklēsia I attend helps enrich my life and glorifies God – uniquely.

Church is just that. It’s a building where Christians can congregate, build each other up, raise their hands in corporate worship, network, learn, and get involved in the work of Christ. It’s also an easily identifiable point on the map – a large building where most people have a general idea of what transpires – and a place where someone might walk into on any given Sunday and begin their own personal journey of discovery.

The word “blind” in Revelation 3:17 is translated from the Greek word typhlos, which in this context means “spiritually blind.” For all their wealth in the Church of Laodicea, they couldn’t see the truth that was right in front of them. And gymnos, the Greek translated here to mean “naked,” speaks to the vulnerability and destitute lives the Laodiceans were leading.

In speaking through John, Christ used visuals the people of Laodicea could directly relate to (see Rev 3:14-22). Laodicea was a highly resourceful and industrialized city. “Poor, blind, and naked” stood in direct contrast to the Laodiceans’ major trades of banking, eye medicine (salve), and wool.

And, much like the Laodiceans, it’s up to each and every one of us to not place anything – including the way we do church – ahead of our personal relationship with Christ. When we get so focused on “my way is the right way” and “that person’s way is the wrong way,” we completely miss the point of doing things Christ’s way.

It’s not the church that makes us poor. That’s a condition we bring on ourselves when we become indifferent as to why we go and who we’re going for. It’s not the church that makes us blind. That’s a condition we bring upon ourselves through apathy; when we no longer grow in Christ and become contentedly stagnant. It’s not the church that makes us naked. Our vulnerability is self-induced when we no longer clothe ourselves in Christ and remember He is our protector.

If it weren’t for my church, I may never have come to know Christ. There were no people involved in small groups inviting me off the streets to join their group and introduce me to Christ. And, if it weren’t for my church, I would not be personally growing through home-based small groups and our current circle of friends.

The only blindfolds I wear are the ones I choose to. Nobody forces them over my eyes. Personal growth and vision remain choices, no matter where God leads us into worshipping Him. If I say I’m a leader – and I do – then it’s up to me, with Christ as my guide, to help remove the blindfolds people may be wearing.

It’s up to me to support the work of my fellow Christians who are following Christ’s direction over their lives - regardless of how they ekklēsia. The blame game stops with me. My blindfold is off.