Text: Revelation 3:14-22 (see below)
Are you a lukewarm Christian? With the institutional church being pushed farther and farther to the margins of society, fewer people attending worship, and now two generations that have no church connection whatsoever, perhaps it is time for the Christians in America to be challenged once again by the words of the author of the Book of Revelation.
The Church in Laodicea was neither hot nor cold. Apparently, the community had become lukewarm about their faith and their witness to what they believed. Like a weak cup of tea, the congregation was not hot enough to invigorate new life, not cold enough to refresh itself and others. The Lord was not pleased with the situation and in very strong language prepares them for what is to come: “I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Lukewarm Christians, what do they look like? What do they do? At a website SimplyMissional.com, Chris Marlow, out of Raleigh, North Carolina, offers some classic examples. I have listed below an edited portion of some of Chris’ seventeen point inventory.
· Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go.
· Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so.
· Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.
· Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
· Lukewarm people gauge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street.
· Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; its only for pastors and missionaries and radicals.
· Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love for others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is a little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached.
· Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give.
· Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor.
· Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them sacrificing and risking for God.
Sound like anybody you know? Yeah, come to think about it, it sounds like me!
Does it sound like you?
Fortunately, for us and the congregation in Laodicea, there is Good News to be heard this day and every day. Jesus said: ‘Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.’
This is probably the most quoted verse of the Book of Revelation and it should be. The verb tense is very important to our understanding and our faith journey. Jesus stand knocking at the door now (present tense). If you and I have ears to hear and will lay aside our ‘lukewarmness’ to get up and answer the door, Jesus will come and have fellowship with us today – not tomorrow – not in some distant future – but right now! Awesome!!
If any of those bullet points mentioned above are indicative of the life you are currently living, and you desire to make a change in your life, listen for the knocking that is taking place at the door to your heart. Welcome Jesus in and be transformed by his love, grace and mercy.
Love One Another – Brian
Eight days left to Saint Thomas’ Day
Close to Worship
Richard Cabot
Whenever beauty overwhelms us, whenever wonder silences our chattering hopes and worries, we are close to worship.
Source: What Men Live By
Revelation 3:14-22
‘And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation:
‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’
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