Following Jesus 116

Blog #2015-59  

Following Jesus: What kind of church are we? 

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:14-22 ESV)

The Lukewarm Church Needs Jesus Christ. Vs. 14. What does the lukewarm need from He is called the Amen, the faithful and true witness and the Creator? 

The lukewarm church needs Jesus Christ’s correction. Vs. 15-17. Jesus is well aware of the lukewarm church’s spiritual condition. They are neither cold, having an unfavorable attitude toward God or the world, nor are they hot, having a favorable attitude toward God or the world. They are lukewarm. 

Jesus says He would prefer they be one or the other. Make a choice, take a stand! However, the lukewarm church’s stand is to straddle the fence. To pretend they are something depending upon the company they are keeping at the moment. They act the part of a committed disciple but they are not really evidencing true conversion. 

Followers of Jesus, and churches, who are lukewarm make Jesus sick to His stomach. When Jesus says “I will spit you out of my mouth” He is not referring to the spitting of saliva but rather vomiting the contents of His stomach. 

The lukewarm church believes itself to be rich, prosperous and in need of nothing. In reality, Jesus says they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. This is Jesus’ correction directed to the lukewarm church. What is His counsel?

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