There is a new virus going round these days. Actually it’s a flu. But it is not new. Just its name is. Once it was called ‘sin’. Now it is known by the catchphrase “‘Affluenza.”
Rev 317 … 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.
As surely as this was leveled at the church at Laodicea, it is widespread in America today. It’s new name came from the tragedy of Ethan Couch, the wealthy young victim of ‘Affluenza,’ who killed four people in a drunken accident, and then received a slap on the wrist by a progressive judge. Because of his sheltered llifestyle, Ethan felt he was immune from the punishment others might receive. He was rich, yet he was poor. He didn’t think he needed a thing. But he was wrong. He needed Jesus.
Nor do we feel, as a modern, high tech people, that we need Jesus. We have cured every disease except cancer, and it is on the run. We can drive, fly, send pictures, and communicate around the world. All the mysteries of the ages have been chronicled under ‘google’ Why do we need Jesus?
Because we are ‘wretched’; that is, in a poor or sad state. Can you deny that?
Because we are ‘pitiful’: that is, we have lost our way, and are to be pitied.
Because we are poor: that is, we have a value system that is based upon things of no value.
Because we are blind: that is, we can no longer see the plight we find ourselves in.
And because we are naked: that is, we have no covering. We have removed Gods hand.
Make no mistake about it: We may be affluent, but we still need Jesus.
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