In Revelation chapter three, Jesus addresses seven churches. Six of them get some kind of criticism, but also some kind of praise. One of them gets only criticism.
Laodicea.
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
Revelation 3:14-16I am about to spit you out of my mouth. That is not gentle language. That is strong disgust.
The Problem
What was their sin? They were lukewarm. They were neither hot nor cold.
In Laodicea, the water supply came from hot springs about six miles away. By the time it reached the city, it was lukewarm. It was neither good for drinking nor for healing. It was useless.
That is the problem with lukewarm Christianity. It is useless. It does nothing. It does not help anyone. It does not change anything.
It is the Christianity of going to church on Sunday and living like the world the rest of the week. It is the Christianity of saying the right words but having no power. It is the Christianity of being comfortable while the world burns.
The Self-Deception
Here is the worst part. Jesus says they thought they were rich. They thought they were prosperous. They thought they had everything they needed.
"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."
Revelation 3:17They thought they were rich. But Jesus said they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
That is self-deception. That is what lukewarm Christianity produces. A false sense of security. A false sense of spirituality. A false sense of adequacy.
We look at our churches, our programs, our buildings, and we think we are doing great. But Jesus sees something different.
The Warning
Jesus gives them a warning. He tells them to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, white clothes to wear, and eye salve to put on their eyes.
"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 nakedity; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
Revelation 3:18Real gold. Real righteousness. Real spiritual sight. These are what they need. Not their false wealth. Not their false security.
The Laodicean church is the most warned-against church in Scripture. They are the only church with no positive qualities whatsoever. They represent the danger of comfortable, self-satisfied Christianity that looks spiritual but has no power.
The Call to Repentance
Jesus concludes with this:
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I stand and knock at the door. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me."
Revelation 3:19-20Be earnest and repent. That is the call. Not to do more programs. Not to have more activities. But to repent. To turn away from lukewarmness. To become hot or cold.
Hot for Jesus. Or cold in your commitment. Either one is better than lukewarm.
Are You Lukewarm?
Ask yourself some hard questions. Are you comfortable in your faith? Do you feel like you have everything you need? Are you proud of your spirituality? If you answered yes to any of these, you might be Laodicean. And Jesus has a warning for you.
The Hope
But there is hope. Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. He wants to come in. He wants to have dinner with you.
That is the offer. Open the door. Let Him in. And He will change you from lukewarm to hot.
That is the call. Be earnest. Repent. And let Him in.
"To him who is victorious I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
Revelation 3:21With honesty and hope,
Claire