SALVATION vs COMFORT: Is it really worth it?

Is our salvation truly that pearl of great price? That field full of treasure that we would abandon and sell everything in order to possess it? Even give up our families and friends for it?

Will we hold on to our riches and comfort like the rich young ruler from Luke 18:18-29 who went away sad because he had great wealth? It's not worth it! Nothing here on this earth is worth holding on to if it means we lose salvation.

Even the church in Laodicea was struggling with this. The reason they were neither hot nor cold was because of their wealth!

Revelation 3:14-22

¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

"I am about to spit you out of my mouth." ------Whoa! Does this mean that this church will be thrown into hell? Well, have you ever heard of God talking about Christians as wretched or blind? BUT God says that those he LOVES he rebukes and disciplines.

He still LOVES this church. He wants them to turn from their comfort and security which was NOT coming from God but instead was coming from their wealth. Then God promises that the ones who are victorious in this will be given the right to sit with God on his throne.

My new prayer is that God will continue the good work he has begun in me. I am willing to rid myself of anything that holds me back from following Him wholeheartedly. - - -Reveal all areas in which I am lukewarm. Give me strength in all areas where I have weakness. Asking that He would please do whatever it takes for me to get on fire for HIM.

Scary. But ultimately worth it.

God's promises in the Bible are true. Therefore how can I afford to NOT live my life in this manner? How can I afford to keep quiet? How can I afford to hold onto various comforts and luxuries? Will I ever be desperate for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if I hold onto earthly comforts and pleasures?

Know that I value Him MORE. I pray that this conviction will deepen. Know that I love you and that I'm praying that God will speak to you in a new way about what He wants you to do with your earthly wealth. ;) - Kate