Has anything like this ever happened to you? You’re out shopping and find this amazing new outfit – on sale no less. You wear it the next day at work, seeing a few friends for lunch and finally end up at the grocery store before heading home. You walk in your front door and happen to glance in the mirror and see IT – a big sales tag hanging down from under your right armpit. And…it’s bright yellow! You’ve got to be kidding!!
Your entire day flashes before your eyes – how could you have missed this oversight? And how many people saw that big yellow tag and said nothing? Isn’t that frustrating? just when you think everything is okay – only to find out it’s not.
If this, or anything like it has ever happened to you then you have a lot in common with the church at Laodicea mentioned in the book of Revelations. They thought they were fine. They had “the look” – they claimed to know God but lived as though He didn’t exist in many areas of their lives.
But before long they hear from God and trust me, He was not happy with them. Here’s what He wrote: “I know your deeds, that you are neither hot or cold. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of My mouth.” And just a side note here: in the Greek, the word ‘spit’ is actually ‘vomit. As I mentioned – God was not to happy with these lukewarm folks!
Leodicea it seems had a huge water problem: they didn’t have enough. They piped in water through aqueducts from two other cities; one had incredibly hot water and the other was known for its soothing cold waters But by the time the waters made it to Laodicea, the water had turned ugly – it was dirty, tepid, and you guessed it – lukewarm. It tasted so bad that it made people sick. So, Jesus wrote to them about their spiritual apathy in the context the people could understand. Yucky lukewarm people getting yucky lukewarm water. Those are the facts!
What to do about all of it? First, get their attention. God accomplished that with His letter to them. And embedded in this remarkable letter, God begins to tell them just how much He loves them, “The people I love, I call to account – prod and correct and guide so that they will live at their best. Up on your feet then! About face! Run after God.” (Rev 3:19)
God wants each of us living the best life possible, and that’s not living lukewarm. Way too often, we settle for lukewarm instead of going for God’s highest & best in our lives. I once knew a gal who admitted that she had settled on a marriage partner, thinking this guy was the only one who would ever propose to her. So how is their marriage? Lukewarm!
And finally, Jesus moves in with this well-known verse: “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” The interesting thing about this verse is that it’s written to Christ-followers, not unbelievers! Most of you will remember the famous picture of Jesus standing at a door knocking – that famous picture is from this very verse.
How sad! The Laodicean Christians had shut God out of their lives, leaving them to live a lukewarm spiritual life at best. They had slammed the door on the best God had for them and now here is Jesus, knocking, asking to be a part of their lives once again.
Easter Sunday is upon us. What a great time to rekindle your relationship with God! The One who loves us all so much He freely gave His only begotten Son to live and die in our place – for our eternal salvation. Please give thought to coming home to church this Easter Sunday. Open your hearts door to eternity!
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org
