Laodicea

The writer, Pst. Jim Cymbala, observed this: "Notice that Laodiceans were saints of God, with all the promises to claim. They were part of Christ's body - singing hymns, worshiping on Sunday, enjoying physical benefits and no doubt viewing themselves as more righteous than their pagan neighbors. Yet they were on the verge of being vomited out."

Jim Cymbala, "A Time for Shaking" in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: what happens when God's Spirit invades the hearts of His people (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1997), 91-92. 

When I read this yesterday afternoon, I couldn't help pausing to ask myself: "Am I in Laodicea?" Or worse still, "Am I a Laodicean?"

Have I begun to think that being lukewarm is normal? Or have I been proclaiming victory and blessing without moving God's heart? Is Jesus saying to me: "But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked...Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (Rev. 3:17,19)

Christians, it is good for us to constantly examine our hearts.

Lukewarm happens when we've stopped thinking and asking why. When we've stopped living for the eternity but the temporary. When we've stopped living a purpose-driven life and are beginning to conform to culture - accepting that tiny compromises are "okay" as long as we gain significance in this world we are living in. When we've stopped dreaming big dreams of how we can pour out ourselves for God (and for His people - because that's ultimately how we serve Him). It happens when we demand that life is ultimately about us - what we want, what we need, how we ought to be allowed to feel when people offend us...and our right to have quality experiences. (Yes, even worship experiences and sermons.) Lukewarm is when we think that money, properties and fat bank accounts will solve all our problems. (I know we don't normally think of ourselves this way - but let us reconsider our prayers: What is the number one issue we offer up to God?) Soon, we grow dull to spiritual things and co-incidentally call our seminary scholars the "holy-molies" or the "super-spiritual". Or... "those who are called"...

But we will never find life when we keep looking to ourselves. We only find life when we live to meet others' needs. No wonder God hates it when Christians grow lukewarm. Coz we are as good as spiritually dead. We either die to ourselves or die to God.

Worth a thought, don't you think? :)