But we do not realize that we are wretched and pitiful. The dictionary defines wretched as contemptible. That is what God is saying here! He will hold us in contempt for what we do. Wretched also means characterized by misery and sorrow. How loathsome are we when we cannot even see our own misery and sorrow! Where do we rely upon for our joy? Is it in catchy sermons, feel good preaching, and snazzy choir numbers as we all sing Kumbaya on our way to hell? Or do we take our wretched self to the cross and find the fullness of joy in the presence of God?
Likewise we do not realize that we are poor in the things of God. The Bible says that He will supply all of my needs according to His riches found in Christ Jesus. Pursuing the materialism of this world will only lead you away from the riches of God. When your Christianity has become about Jesus being your ATM, you will not experience His riches in glory. Remember that this life is but a vapor and storing up riches on earth will only rust and fade with time. Storing up riches in heaven however, will last eternally.
We also do not realize that we are blind. Jesus once referred to the Pharisees as blind guides. They had plenty of religion. They had the best services. They had the best show in town. But they had no idea where they were going because their religion became about them instead of about God. Without God there is no light, only darkness. Our religion becomes an exercise in furthering the distance between us and God. Remember the Gospel of Matthew says that at the end times Jesus will look plainly at people who thought they had served Him their entire lives and say that He never knew them. Blind guides leading blind congregations.
Lastly, we do not even realize that we are naked before God. The dictionary defines naked as being bare of any covering. I believe this means two things that are equally sobering. First it means that we go forward without the covering of God, while we think we are operating under it! Constantly having to convince ourselves that something is of God when we have no covering at all. Secondly, it means that God sees it all anyway. What we do is always naked before Him. We cannot escape His watch.
I know this wasn't one of the most "feel good" messages but remember beloved, these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation and heaven forbid if we do not take heed.
Reverend Anthony Wade August 9, 2011
