By Elder Tim White
Last week I mentioned the Church at Laodicea. Let us take a closer look at this church and the city that it was in. Jesus addresses this church on terms in which they could relate. Laodicea was a banking and financial center. It was also known for the production of glossy black wool cloth. The third thing Laodicea prided itself in was a medical school that manufactured a special eye salve. The city of Laodicea was located near Hierapolis, where there were famous hot springs, and Colossae, known for its pure, cold water. However, Laodicea had to receive water by an aqueduct system. By the time the water got to Laodicea, it was only “lukewarm” – useless in its present conditions.
So what did Jesus say to the church at Laodicea? “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”, Revelation 3:15-18. Jesus revealed their spiritual shortcomings to them. He said that they were a “lukewarm” church. They were not cold or hot for the Lord. This meant they were only half-committed, only half-hearted. They were spiritually complacent and self-satisfied. Jesus said that attitude makes Him sick. They thought they were something that they were not. They thought they were spiritually rich, Jesus said they were spiritually poor.
Jesus loved the church at Laodicea too much to leave them the way He found them. In verse eighteen, He counsels them to trust in Him. The psalmist said in Psalm 33:11 “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations”. Jesus loves you too much to leave you the way he finds you as well. He is still offering the invitation of counsel today. In verse 20, the same invitation He gave to the church at Laodicea, He is giving you. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”. Jesus can change your “lukewarm” heart to one that is on fire for Him. Why don’t you try it today?
