Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Being clear cut should always be appreciated. Vagary usually leads to being too loose. As the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!” The Lord makes it quite clear that He does not put up with fence riders. You are either a clear cut believer (hot) or you are not (cold). So, thus, lukewarm believers the Lord will vomit out of His mouth. They will be treated as a troublesome sickness that needs to be extracted so that the body is not adversely affected.
In America some might say that freedom and prosperity create such a lukewarm (indifferent) attitude. Granted, with both of those come the temptation to trust in the blessings rather than in God who is the bringer of the blessings. Man, by his fallen nature, easily convinces himself of being self-sufficient. Having plenty, you tend to think you have need of nothing. Not having enough, you tend to think that what you need is what others have. The problem, though, isn’t whole-heartedly with freedom and prosperity. The main problem is always… sin (or unbelief)! It’s man trusting in the wrong thing — namely, in the material world; in treasures on earth.
Thanks be to God for His Word — where Christ told you to lay up treasures in heaven. To be focused and fed on Him, through His Word and Sacraments, God keeps you hot in the faith and ever a part of His body (the Church)!
Jesus, priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure, Truest friend to me,
Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit anguish, Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee;
Naught I ask beside Thee (TLH 347; LSB 743)
Let us pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
