I went on several mission trips and one thing I noticed was the enthusiasm the people had in the church and the love they showed others. Then I think about the church here in America and how we seem to be like the church in Laodicea, complacent, stagnant, neither hot nor cold. Sure, a lot of churches do many good things and have ministries and missions that help others and meet their needs. But how much do we glorify God, help others and share the good news of His grace? How much are we willing to give up for Him and how much do we show our love for Him outside of Sunday services?
Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
It’s interesting that Laodicea was known for their trade and being a rich city, in particular selling quality black fabric and eye salve. Jesus says though you provide those things for other people and you are rich economically, spiritually you are poor. Sounds like America today. We are called a Christian nation, but we allow so much sin in our society, and how many people in our country truly worship God and follow His word? Do we live for Him on a daily basis or just when we go to church? And, do we go to church as a routine or do we worship God in our hearts? Are we as enthusiastic about singing and praying to our Lord as an act of worship as we are going to sports events or concerts or our own interests? Does our church feel more like a house of worship or a social gathering or concert? Do we give our time, talents, and finances sacrificially and cheerfully to help the needs of others and share God’s love and salvation? These questions are convicting, aren’t they? They are for me. Jesus reminds us that we need to reach out to others and show love. We need to stop living for ourselves but live for Him. Sometimes He has harsh sayings for us, but we need to be reminded as His children to do what is right. We need to not be complacent. We need to be light in this dark world. We need to not be discouraged or hide our faith, but be strong in the Lord.
Hebrews 12:3-8
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR BE DISCOURAGED WHEN YOU ARE REBUKED BY HIM; FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Hebrews 10:22-23
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Jesus wants to remind us of who we are in Christ. The day that we confessed our sins and believed in our heart, we became His. He will not leave us or forsake us and no one can snatch us away from Him. He is faithful. How can we show our faith and our gratitude toward Him? We need to remind ourselves and others of God’s grace and who He is. We are saved by His grace and what He has done for us if we accept it.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus also reminds us of who He is. He says He is the “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God“ In other words, He is the Truth. He was there at the beginning of creation, He was the source of creation, and He is here now and will always be for you and me.
Colossians 1:15-18
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
John 14:1-6
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Jesus is the way, the only way to salvation. It’s not by doing good things, it’s not by going to church every week. It’s through a relationship with Him. It’s by His grace (it is a gift we need to accept) and sacrifice. By paying for our sins we are redeemed by His blood. We are declared righteous. This is the reason we do good works. Because of what He did for us, because we love Him and love our fellow man. Because when we are saved we are given the Holy Spirit that guides us and leads us into doing what is right. By reading this letter, it sounds like the church was arrogant. Perhaps it was a large congregation and they believed that was what made a church successful. Perhaps it was because they gave a lot of money toward the church and they had a big, beautiful church building, maybe even had some great events and a few ministries. But Jesus wants our hearts. I believe that we as a church have grown complacent and just go through the motions, like Laodicea. Do we do things to glorify God or to enrich ourselves? Jesus says to repent and seek Him. He stands at the door and knocks. He is waiting for us to receive Him.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As a church, the body of believers, our priority should be to glorify God and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. It should be sharing His love to others. We as believers need to get out of our pew and be a part of the church, serving others, sharing our faith, and helping each other grow in the Spirit. Are we doing that or are we being complacent and lukewarm? Do the things we do and say glorify God or are our lives about doing what satisfies our own desires? In other words, who are we living for, God or ourselves? My prayer is that each of us would be the men and women God intended us to be.
My Daily Scriptures 