'As many as I love, I rebuke.'

Rev 3:19 NKJV

Addressing the end-time church, Jesus said: 'You say, 'I am rich... 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore... repent' (Rev 3:17-19 NKJV). Those are strong words! Why would Christ say that to us? Because: (1) Instead of believing God for New Testament results, we say God doesn't do miracles any more. (2) We've tolerated division in the name of denominational loyalty. (3) We've taught that Christianity is mainly about avoiding things. As a result we've lost our joy, because intimacy with Christ cannot be achieved through performance. (4) Many of our leaders have stopped modeling servant-hood and forgotten that Jesus washed feet and rode on a donkey. (5) Instead of using our financial blessing to reach the world for Christ and care for the poor, we're acquiring and splurging on ourselves. (6) We get upset when somebody uses contemporary methods to reach the younger generation. Instead of engaging the culture we're hiding from it. (7) Instead of 'occupy till I come,' we'd rather fly away. We read rapture novels when we should be praying for those living on the verge of martyrdom. Why can't we have their kind of faith? We can - if we're willing to pay the price.