Let us read from Revelation 3 where there is a message to the church in Laodicea. We read in verses 15-20 as follows, “‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” God speaks specifically about the lukewarm nature of the church. This nature can be present in our lives also if we live a life of contentment in our spiritual condition. If we are lukewarm, God will spit us out. This lukewarm attitude is because of a relaxed and casual attitude towards sin. We see how this church was not aware of its true spiritual condition. God gives the church advice so that they can correct what is lacking in their lives.
Are we in a lukewarm situation and not aware of it? God will not accept it. God is knocking at your door, will you repent today? We may be satisfied thinking we are in a good church and that we hear good sermons, but let us judge ourselves today. If today God shows you an area where you are taking sin in a relaxing way, repent and correct your ways. God advises the church to buy refined gold from him. Let us read from 1 Peter 1:3-7, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” The testing of our faith during trials is more precious than gold. We can be rich in faith so that we can overcome various trials that come our way. Referring back to Revelation, we see the next thing that God instructs the church in Laodicea is to buy white garments. The white garment is a picture of the righteousness that God gives us. Each one of us in the church needs to go to God individually and be clothed in His righteousness. Thus when we come collectively we will have a beautiful picture. Jesus Christ died so that we can be righteous. The next thing that God instructs the church is to buy eye salve. This is a picture of having a clear spiritual vision. The Holy Spirit helps us so that our inner eyes may be opened.
In Romans 12:3 we read, “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” This verse instructs us not to think highly of ourselves but to be aware of our actual situation. In verse 6 we read how God has blessed each one with a special gift and we need to exercise it. Are we lazy in using our gifts?
In Revelation we read, “He who has an ear, let him hear..” Can we hear today what God wants to show us? In John 16:33 we read, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Jesus overcame during His life on this earth and sat down with the Father. If we overcome, we too can sit down with Jesus. Everyday can we ask God to see where we are lacking to be like Jesus. May God bless us all.
