YOU MAKE ME SICK!
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” —Rev. 3:15-16
Anyone familiar with the “seven churches” of Revelation should find no surprise in the “change and decay” apparent in the church and churches of today. What is important for our purpose here is to realize that the character of the church is formed by those who are its members. As one reads these brief, but telling letters we ought to ask ourselves, do any of these charges apply to me, personally?
Our text for today is taken from the letter to the church of the Laodiceans, and it is in many ways the most pathetic of the seven. It is also quite likely the most representative of contemporary Christianity in the developed world. Of the seven, it is the only one for which the Savior has no word of commendation.
Our passage can not be fully appreciated without its context, and the reader is encouraged to review it to get the whole picture. It is a church that nauseates the Savior, and those believes who are characterized by it must do the same. The lessons to be learned are easily discovered.
First, “I know…” Whatever we may appear to be to others, or, for that matter, to ourselves, the Lord knows our real condition. Of the Savior it is written, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do [Heb. 4:13].” Moreover Jesus Himself said in another place, “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart [I Sam. 16:7b].”
Whether the church or the individual, the Lord knows not only what we appear to be, but what we really are, and HUe will deal with us accordingly. Impressive in its manifest material prosperity, the Laodicean church did not impress her Head. All her measurements were made in the horizontal; His were made in the vertical. She said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (v.17).” He said, “You are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” That pathetic condition He attributes to the fact that they were “neither cold nor hot [but] lukewarm.” The lesson is obvious lukewarm Christians may be materially impressive and self assured, but they are spiritually bankrupt.
So distressing is this condition to the heart of God that the Savior says, “I would” that you were either frozen or on fire. Consider it well in this day of “cultural Christianity.” The Head of the church would prefer a church—or a believer—stone cold rather than “lukewarm!” Those who are “cold” make no impression on the watching world. Those who are lukewarm leave a false impression, implying that faith in Christ is “no big deal.” The fire may be stirred a bit in our luxurious facility on a Sunday, but it is allowed to die down between weekends. “Don’t be a fanatic.” At least not about the things of God.
Should the condition continue, His devastating word is, “I will spew thee out of My mouth.” The literal rendering of the Greek word is “vomit.” It ‘s root is the word from which our English word “emetic” rises. Lukewarm Christianity nauseates the Son of God! “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” is literally saying to this church, “You make Me sick!” His response to nominal Christianity in the life of the individual will be no different.
What is striking in the context is to note where the Savior finds Himself in relation to the lukewarm church. Pleading with them to repent, He declares, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” Christ is on the outside, trying to gain admittance. The church bears His name, but does not host His presence. Yet there is hope. “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, an d will suip with him, and he with Me (v.20).” The church may not be revived, but the responding believer can be. After all, revival comes one soul at a time.
Assess your church. The assess your relationship to Christ. Are you “lukewarm” in your devotion to and service for Christ? Are you part of the problem? Are you willing to be part of the solution? Open the door and let Him in!
‘What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou hast giv'n all for me;
Not just a part or half of my heart, I will give all to Thee. ‘
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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