“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would you were cold or hot. So, then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth—because you say, ‘I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing’ and know not you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
Revelation 3:15-17
Woe to him who nauseates the Savior and doesn’t care.
Most any Bible student knows well the meaning of a “Laodicean church.” Although Jesus was speaking to the church in Asia Minor (western Turkey) located around 40 miles east of Ephesus, His words are still applicable and piercing to all churches and believers in every generation.
Laodicea was a prosperous and socially prominent city in its day. Known for its luxurious black wool, it became extremely wealthy during the Roman period and even refused financial aid from Rome after being greatly damaged in an earthquake.
Thus, based on Christ’s words to them, we can conclude the Laodicean church was also well-to-do. If they’d had expensive stained glass windows and towering steeples back then, she’d had the best and the biggest. No doubt she was a leader in giving to missions and boasted the town’s “shakers-and-makers” as part of her membership.
But, Christ was not impressed.
Then or now.
Instead, He said “You make Me sick to my stomach. Instead of being passionate (on fire) for Me, you have a ‘Business as usual’ mentality, priding yourself on your buildings and budgets. You spend much time patting yourself on the back because of your beautiful edifices and men’s applause; yet, in reality you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.”
Oh, dear Pilgrim, how easy it is to settle for mediocrity and mundane monotony in our walk of faith instead of “pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). If we’d be offended by leftovers to eat when invited to a friend’s house for a meal, why should we think the Lord Jesus will be pleased with the crumbs from our table (lives)?
He deserves our best! Anything left is offensive and odious to Him!
That’s why He counseled the Laodicean church (and us) to “buy of Him gold tried by fire, that we may be rich. . .desirous of His white robe of righteousness to cover our wretched nakedness. . .and His anointed eye-salve so we can see clearly” (v.18).
Spend some time today asking the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and mind (Ps. 139:23-24). Allow Him to search those hidden recesses and closed closets with “Do Not Enter” signs on them. Then, listen to what He says and see what you’re spiritual temperature is. If it’s lukewarm, confess and repent of it, recommitting your life to the One Who died for you. He deserves your best; nothing less. Therefore, do not rest until He has all of you.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated February 16, 2010
