10. PEOPLE DO NOT ALWAYS REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SAVED

People do not always realise the importance of being saved. This was the case with the Church in Laodicea, of whom we read: "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." (Rev 3:17) The Lord (cp. Rev 3:14) informs them that they are not aware that they are blind and He counsels them to apply ointment to their eyes that they can see. (Rev 3:17,18) A little further on, we read: "So be earnest, and repent." (Rev 3:19)
If we want to be saved (cp. Acts 16:30), Scripture tells us to buy our salvation. (Cp. Matt 25:9) We read: "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. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (Rev 3:18,19) To buy your salvation means, therefore, to admit that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Rev 3:17); to accept the rebuttal and discipline of the Lord, and to make it a matter of importance and to repent. (Rev 3:19)
To buy the riches of the Spirit means to buy it without money and without paying (cp. Isa 55:1), as the price of our salvation has already been paid. Peter writes: "For you know, that it was not with perishable things, such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Pet 1:18,19)
Scripture compares our salvation with the free gift of the water of life, and invites each one of us to accept it without cost. (Rev 22:17) Scripture instructs everyone to add nothing, or take away even one word from this prophetic book (cp. Deut 4:2; 12:32), and solemnly warns that severe punishment will follow such conduct. (Rev 22:18,19) It means that we should not strengthen or weaken the gospel. Therefore, as far as Revelation 22:17 is concerned, it means not to put anything in the way of salvation, as if it is not a free gift and also because God will then subject us to the plagues which are described in the book of Revelation (Rev 22:18). We should also not cancel or take anything away from the path of salvation; such as the attitude that it is not necessary to come and take and appropriate the free gift of the water of life, by faith (Rev 22:17). If we do so, God will take our share in the tree of life and in the holy city away from us (Rev 22:19). God forbid! Scripture says: "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb 10:31)