Finished up Jesus’s seven letter series to the churches. Laodicea, oh what a church. For some reason, this morning she brings to mind a song from the late ’70’s which declares “it can’t be wrong, when it feels so right, ’cause you light up my life.” To be sure, by their own confession and from all appearances, Jesus did light up their lives. But what should have been experienced as the blazing hot light of the sun was instead felt as but the tepid glow of a 40-watt bulb. Thus, they were lukewarm even though they thought they were on fire. And so, because their lives “felt so right” they failed to recognize just how “wrong” they really were. Says Jesus of them, “You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

Their’s a lot to chew on concerning those who think they have it so right but really have it so wrong. But this morning, the “I” that captures my thoughts is the “I” of the One who is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 3:14) The I who is the I AM, the One who walks among the churches and who alone can light up the life that is lukewarm, bringing us from wretched to reigning.

I know your works . . . (Revelation 3:15 CSB)

I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:16 CSB)

I advise you . . . (Revelation 3:18 CSB)

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. (Revelation 3:19 CSB)

See! I stand at the door and knock. (Revelation 3:20 CSB)

To the one who conquers, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21 CSB)

I know, says Jesus, I know your works. What’s more, I know what’s behind your works — the heart and motivation, the reasons, reckonings, and self-evaluation. And He who is the Truth, who cannot do otherwise than to be true to Himself, says I will truthfully evaluate those works. Thus, ways which are lukewarm are ways which must be spit out. Not only do I know, says Jesus, I’m also honest.

But I also advise. I’m committed to the work I have begun in you, so I will counsel you. I don’t reject, I’m not repulsed, I’m not re-thinking calling you to be Mine. Instead, I will redirect you.

And that, because I love you. Love you just the way you are and love you too much to leave you the way you are. Thus, I rebuke, and I correct. I chastise and I discipline. Not to cut you down, but to build you up. Not to trash you, but to train you.

So behold, I stand at the door, and I knock. I come to you, inviting you to open up to me. I so want to be with you so that you can know afresh the light and fire that comes from abiding with me. Yours is not to do more, it’s just to open wide and let Me come in and be with you more.

And, for those with ears to hear and by My Father’s grace willfully respond, I will give you the right to go from supping with Me at the table to sitting with me on My throne.

From wretched to reigning. How’s that for lighting up my life?

Not because of who I am, but because of what the great I AM has purposed to do.

Jesus is the I AM who powerfully redeems and patiently restores. The Light of the world who takes even my wrong and makes it so right.

And me? I’m just a sinner being saved by God’s grace for God’s glory.