By: Bro. Joel Uto
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INTRODUCTION
The use of lukewarm was by Christ against the church of Christ in Laodicea. The Spirit x-rayed (went through) the seven churches of Asia as recorded in Revelation 2 & 3. But the Laodicea was found to be lukewarm in spiritual character.
The Laodicea was a wealthy and healthy church physically but they were actually empty in the spirit realm. The church was neither cold nor hot. This is implying that they were not unbelievers, not persecuting God’s people. On the other hand, they were not red hot as well. This means they were not spiritually zealous for God. They were adjudged simply to be lukewarm.
Perhaps, the most dangerous type of sin is the kind which we think does not need to be atoned for. 1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Hebrews 10:26 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
Just imagine brothers and sisters take to pleasure of sin in alcoholic drinking, tobacco taking; even indecent dressing. A lukewarm church is displeasure to God. God want us to be fervent in spirit – Romans 12:11 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
When members are lukewarm, the congregation would be basically looked upon lukewarm. Christ would have wished that the Laodicea were cold than being lukewarm. The fact is that, there is more hope of changing an ice cold individual who does not pretend to be a Christian than of changing a self-satisfied, complacent, lukewarm child of God – Hebrews 6:4-6 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 2 Peter 2:20 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Lukewarmness hurts the church more than coldness does. No one points to a godless pagan persons and say I cannot become a Christian because of him but people have always pointed at half-hearted members of the church and say why should I become a Christian? I am as good as they are even better.
We might have been satisfied with our spiritual lukewarmness but the Lord is not. Such was the condition of the Laodicea church. We make Christ sick when the church is lukewarm unless we repent.
What is lukewarmness? What are the qualities of Christian lukewarmness? What are the dangers?
LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS
These are members of the church of Christ:
- who do not appear committed to Christ
- who may occasionally attend services
- who are careless in private prayer, Bible study & self examination
- who are inconsistent in attendance,
- who rarely read the word
- who rarely fast and pray
- who never make a sacrifice in giving
- who dabbles into sinful pleasures of life
- who never put themselves to any inconvenience for Christ’s sake
- who never braved any reproach for Christ’s sake
- who never abandon any comfort for Christ’s sake
These characteristics are contrast to real Christians. Being real Christians means we take the things of God seriously and we seek to follow Christ and His teaching. We must make a clear difference of the things in us. Matthew 10:38 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Luke 14:27-28 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. John 13:35 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Being lukewarm is something that is not favourably examined in the Scriptures – Revelation 3:16-17 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.
Generally, the lukewarm Christian has one step in the church and the other in the world – 1 John 2:15-16 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Lukewarmness of spirit in your Christianity is a dangerous one – Titus 1:16 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
It is dangerous a thing about lukewarmness because the persons involved are unaware of it. If a man is sick and does not know that he is sick, he is in great danger of his life because he is not at all likely to take proper care of himself.
This situation illustrated above is he or she who is neither cold nor hot but thinks he is spiritual and full of love, is not at all likely to do anything for the improvement of his spiritual condition.
Lack of spiritual commitment to testify and satisfied of being saved and assured of salvation is dangerous.
A Christian who is lukewarm would see salvation not only in the church of Christ but any church or body of people calling on the name of God.
Being filled with the Spirit gives the Christian fullness of assurance and satisfaction of the will of God.
Obviously, the doubtfulness and uncertainty feelings as to whether you are right with God, together with an unwillingness to closely examine yourself often arose from lukewarmness – 2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. James 1:8 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The second coming of Christ would be climaxed to the extent that the elect would be taken to meet Him; it would therefore dangerous for any church of Christ member to be in lukewarmness – Mark 13:34-37 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
The Lord sees us not the way man see – Revelation 3:17a 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’….
The Laodicea church was proud instead of being ashamed of their lack of enthusiasm for God. Spiritual aloofness is not a virtue. Spiritual riches, not physical riches, are proof of heavenly approval – Matthew 19:24-25 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
Christ wants us to know that a congregation may be attractive and impressive by worldly standards and still be as dead as a doornail.
The danger of self deception makes some members to be neither cold nor hot for the things of God. The Laodicea church thought they were rich and have no need of any one. But Jesus Christ said …and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked – Revelation 3:17b.
Lukewarmness makes such members to see no wrong. We should balance our spiritual life, avoid self righteousness for God sees us more than we know ourselves – 1 Samuel 16:7 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Christ told the lukewarm church that they were blind. This is dangerous that a church does not know her spiritual condition. Lukewarmness unable members to see their spiritual condition and true nature of Christianity.
Finally, the danger of eternal condemnation. I will vomit you from my mouth – Revelation 3:16c. Revelation 22:11-12 “11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [a]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” The lukewarm persons have their reward if un-repented.
CONCLUSION
The church at Laodicea was tagged lukewarm because the individual members were neither cold not hot – they were lukewarm!
If lukewarmness is to be eradicated in a church or congregation, each member must take personal action. It is so easy to be religiously complacent. Let us repent, take a decision and renew our commitment to the Lord.
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