Revelation 3: 14-16
14 “And to the [i]angel of the church [j]of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [k]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
The church of Laodicea had one foot in and another foot out. It was half committed with one foot in the world and another in the church. As with all the other churches, Jesus tells them that he knows their works and they are neither hot nor cold. Jesus knows our works but most importantly he knows the condition of the hearts from which the works come from and that is the most important. Jesus would rather that this church was either hot or cold and not lukewarm. He says he will vomit them from his mouth, he would reject them, he would disassociate himself with them.
The thing I find very interesting about this church is that they were rich and had become wealthy and they had need for nothing. Jesus tells the church that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Reading these scriptures, I wonder is there a connection between wealth and being at a place where you need nothing with gradually becoming lukewarm? When Jesus taught us how to pray he told us to ask for our daily bread meaning daily dependence on God.
Being at a place of wealth needing nothing is a place where many of us are praying to get to because after all is our God not a God of more than enough? Well from what we see from this church, there is a danger of putting your trust and faith in your wealth and not in God.
Jesus has an answer for their poverty. He tells them in verse 18
” I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
It is this church that Jesus tells the famous words;
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.
This just goes to show how low this church had fallen and there was no longer fellowship and a relationship with Jesus. He was on the outside knocking wanting to be let in.
This is a strong message to the church today where we are so engrossed with material things having a form of godliness and yet no relationship with God!
May we hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches!
Reflections:
Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all! Are you all in with your relationship with Christ?
What is your attitude towards wealth and material things as a child of God?
Jesus is standing at the door knocking….. will you let him in?
