Lukewarm: The Condition I Fear Most

By Jack Harriman
 
Of all the unacceptable conditions a church might fall into, lukewarmness and ignorance thereof, frighten me most. Being lukewarm is making a half-hearted effort in God's cause. "I know your works..." (Revelation 3:15). What did He know about their works? That they were neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm. Tragically, they had no idea they were lukewarm. They were ignorant of their condition, and ignorant as to their ignorance. Theirs was a double deception.

Every church has its lukewarm members, but at Laodicea it seems that everyone was lukewarm --preachers, elders, Bible teachers, leading women, etc. There were a few at Sardis (a dead church) who were still alive, but no such thing is said about Laodicea.

How in the world did such a thing happen? Why didn't the preacher and the elders see this condition developing and take corrective action? What were the Christians hearing from the pulpit? Where was the warning from the watchman on the wall? All of the Lord's warning systems failed. This short letter was the Lord's last ditch-effort to save Laodicea.

The Lord's words to Laodicea are a message from Him to the so-called "pillars" in the church — the "movers and the shakers". They, for the most part, decide the work to be done and to what degree. They lead the church in the Lord's cause. They set the standard. The other members will not rise above them.

So, what about our works, as a body of Christians? On the scale of cold, lukewarm, or hot, where do you rate us? Even more crucial, where does the Lord rate us? "He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:22).

Jack Harriman is a Gospel preacher living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A.
(Emphasis by FG)

 


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