August 11, 2023

Revelation 3:14-22 (HCSB)
The Letter to Laodicea
14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.    17 Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Adrian Bullard
The church of Laodicea has been blessed with worldly riches but are not dispersing their blessing. When God blesses us He desires for us to share those blessings. Buying nice material goods in excess and not helping the needy has weakened their relationship with the Lord. “I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were hot or cold. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth” (vss 16-17). In God’s eyes maybe believing in Him is equal to not believing at all. On the fence is not a decision. God seems disgusted with the people that are lukewarm, living in His ways that are convenient for them and disregarding the rest of the Law. There is an intensity, a weight, when reading this passage as we may live this way at times or be surrounded by ones who do. The familiarity with being cold or lukewarm, at some point in our walk, creates a desire to know what being hot feels like.  “To the victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne."