PCIM

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Let's look at the Saviors Biblical warning to the church of Laodicea and see what each of you individually believe is mean't by the Savior when He said "thou art lukewarn". You'd be surprised at the different definitions people give...

To me, "Thou art lukewarm can have any of several connotations:

1. "Lukewarm" may mean complacent, not taking one's relationship with God nearly seriously enough.

2. "Lukewarm" can also mean neglectful, not realizing the seriousness of the eternity of heaven and hell.


3. It can also mean that people get so wound up in their own busy-ness that God does not have the place He so richly deserves.

4. Lukewarmness can also mean watered-down preaching and teaching. Too often, the Bible is rarely even used in church services. God forbid! At times, pastors are afraid to truly preach what people need most to hear, because they are afraid of their reactons and perhaps the pastor may even fear for his job. Then, too, sometimes we are so wanting to grow our congregations that we make becoming a Christian far too simple and do not let people know that receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the most important decision they can make.

5. Then, too, lukewarmness may come to play in the way churches plan half-hearted programs and are not really ready for Holy Spirit revival.

6. Then, too, lukewarmness can come when we don't truly reach out to meet people's needs. There is what I call a "dip-em and drop 'em" mentality in which we seriously neglect discipleship.

7. In short, lukewarmness is ANYTHING that we allow to keep us from being on fire with a holy zeal for Jesus and the needs of people around us.

In looking at the Church at Laodicea, it was a great banking center, full of wealthy people who lived lifestyles that were far from Christian. Materialism and money had taken the place that Jesus should have had. Ironically, Laodicea was also a medical center in which an eye salve was made. They tried to help folks see physically better, but had little spiritual vision. When churches become social clubs, it literally makes our Savior sick.

Methinks he was merely saying that you were able to pretty much cover the whole thing with very little effort. I think it was a complement.

That being said, I think that lukewarmness also has a connotation of worldliness. The church has one foot wanting to stand with God, and the other out in the world, so it is neither hot nor cold unwilling to stand for God.

Regardless, I think that the issue here is most likely related to materialism. I have said many times that God probably would never make most of us millionaires, because then we may not trust him with our lives and rely on our wealth. The Laodiceans were lukewarm in their faith. They trusted him for some things, and relied on themselves for others. For this they were spiritually bankrupt, and Jesus stood at their door and knocked, if they would open it to him he would come in and sup with them and they with him.