Issue 1398 – Seven Churches – Part 7 – March 18, 2024
This morning we wrap up our series on the seven churches.
Laodicea, the most distant of the cities on the ancient Roman postal route in the province of Asia (modern-day Turkiye), was a wealthy city. Known for its fine textiles, its backing centres, and its display of a healing eye salve, it was a picture of ancient world prosperity.
It was also a city with water problems. One of the two nearest reliable water sources was the mineral springs and their outflow at nearby Hierapolis. These waters were famed for their healing powers.
In the other direction, the waters of Collosae. Stemming from nearby mountains, these waters were cool and refreshing.
Using a series of aqueducts, Laodicea drew from both directions, but by the time they arrived, both the hot and cold waters had degenerated into tiled, lukewarm water, not much used for healing or refreshing.
An understanding that geography holds the key to the problem Jesus has with this church.
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Revelation 3:14-22
The Laodiceans were content with their earthly prosperity and lukewarm about their faith. Both ends of the spectrum, hot and cold, were valuable, but the lukewarm was only fit for Jesus to spit out of His mouth.
These people are believers whose faith was, at best, ambivalent. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but the church in the Western world is rife with it.
Many in the church have become lax in their faith, lost their joy in Jesus and have no interest in reaching out in a lost and hurting world. Christianity is, at best, something they do for a small part of the week rather than being the vibrant way of life we are called to.
Only God knows the actual condition of their hearts, but in many ways, they are CINOs (Christians In Name Only).
The things of the world are more appealing to them than the things of Christ. How sad it is to have everything the world offers but not Christ.
This letter was a wake-up call for those believers many years ago and for you and me. Where is our heart? Are we walking in truth, or are we lukewarm? Have we allowed the things of the world to become idols? Has our walk become stale, boring or simply duty alone?
Jesus still cares for those who are lukewarm believers, but His heart breaks knowing how much they miss out on and the blessings they forfeit.
As I read of Christ’s offer to the Laodiceans (and, by extension, today’s lukewarm believers), I remembered some strong words from the Old Testament.
Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. Jonah 2:8 NIV
May you be hot or cold, healing or refreshing in your faith. May you be delivered from being lukewarm.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)