[Adult Search The Scriptures:Vol 75_Study 969: 04102020]

THE DANGER OF LUKEWARMNESS

MEMORY VERSE: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16).
TEXT: Revelation 3:14-22
The Laodicean church is one of the seven churches in Asia Minor that Christ wrote to. This church grew to
a place of prominence in the city, but soon became insipid as the city’s lukewarm water. Christ’s word
vividly describes the spiritual condition of the church and its lack of genuine faith. "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" (Revelation 3:15,16). To be spiritually lukewarm is
to be in a state of disinterest or be unenthusiastic about spiritual matters. Members of that church were
indifferent to spiritual things and this was nauseating to the Lord.
Laodicea was a commercial city situated close to Colosse and Hierapolis in the ancient Roman empire. The
wealth of the city impacted negatively on the spiritual state of that church so much that some members were
carried away by materialism to the detriment of their spiritual well-being. Their lives were characterised by
pride, ignorance, self- sufficiency and complacency. The Scripture warns of the grave danger wealth can cause,
if not properly managed: "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Timothy 6:9). So, believers who are
materially rich should constantly ask for grace to maintain a humble disposition and learn to support the
work of God and assist the less privileged in the household of faith.
However, the loving Shepherd did not shut the door against the Laodicean brethren but called them to
repentance and spiritual re-awakening. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,
and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:19,20). This should serve as a
wakeup call to those in spiritual slumber. Abiding believers should earnestly seek the straying sheep to
restore them to the fold, as this will bring joy to the Lord.
CHRIST, THE ORIGINATOR AND OMNISCIENT LORD (Revelation 3:14,15; Genesis 1:1,26; John 1:1-5; 1 John 1:1;
Daniel 2:27,28,47; Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 139:1-11, 23,24)
Christ introduced Himself to the Laodicean church as "…the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). He is the true and ever faithful Lord. He is the Creator
or Originator of all things. Christ has no beginning or end; He is eternal and lives forever. The Lord knows
everything about everyone; nothing is hidden from Him. He knows even the remotest thoughts of our
hearts. Some crimes that the ungodly commit is predicated on their false assumption that their acts are
hidden; if only they understand that God sees and records their ungodly acts, they might have
reconsidered their actions. The psalmist proclaimed: "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the
night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day:
the darkness and the light are both alike to thee" (Psalm 139: 11,12). So much resources are spent all over
the world to uncover crimes that are fully open before God, yet severely hidden to men. Many people may
successfully cover their crimes here on earth, but they will face the omniscient Judge in eternity. In light of
the fact that all things are open to God, believers are to live constantly with the consciousness of His
presence, while the ungodly are to repent, confess all their sins and surrender to Christ the Saviour and
uncover their crimes before men.
Question 1: How should believers and the ungodly live to escape God’s judgment?
The spiritual condition of the Laodicean church was distasteful to the Lord. They were lukewarm – neither
cold nor hot. Though they appeared outwardly "righteous unto men, but within [they] are full of hypocrisy

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and iniquity" (Matthew 23:28). It was a dangerous spiritual state and the Lord warned them not to remain in
such precarious condition to avoid being cast out. The warning was to awaken them out of their spiritual
slumber.
Believers should constantly pray like the psalmist that God should search and show them the true state of
their hearts for necessary correction. This will enable them to avoid exaggerated view of self-promotion.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23).
CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRITUAL LAXITY AND LUKEWARMNESS (Revelation 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 6:9-12; Luke
12:15-20; Matthew 13:22; 19:24)
The Lord revealed the true spiritual condition of the church in Laodicea to the angel of the church. As in
previous verses, Christ referred to the leader of the church as an angel. As God’s angels connote godliness,
obedience and purity, so the Lord expects church leaders and ministers to be embodiments of
commitment, loyalty and holiness.
Some in the Laodicean church might be "…supposing that gain is godliness" due to the ungodly influence
peddled by the rich; the Lord frowned at their wrong supposition and rebuked them sharply. Though God
blesses His people and makes them rich, it does not necessarily mean that material wealth is an indication
of spiritual well-being. King Solomon was highly enriched by God but his later life was displeasing to Him.
Demas, who was a companion of Apostle Paul in ministry, became derailed due to his love of the world. It
takes self-control and discipline for the rich to avoid self-sufficiency and pride. God severely warned the
children of Israel to beware of becoming obsessed with material blessings that He would give them in
Canaan so that their heart would not depart from Him. He forewarned that this would lead them to
spiritual obscurity and eventual destruction. "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not
keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest
when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein… And it shall be, if
thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I
testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish" (Deuteronomy 8:11,12,19).

Some of the negative effects of wealth are self-satisfaction, false sense of security, self-indulgence,
prayerlessness, spiritual lethargy, lack of contentment, pride, self-exaltation, over-confidence, crave for
recognition, boasting and placing material possession above spiritual values.
Question 2: Mention some negative effects of wealth.

Contrary to the exaggerated sense of self-praise of the Laodicean brethren, the Lord pointed them to their
true spiritual condition. His message to this church was pungent, plain, passionate, powerful and piercing.
This differs greatly from the messages of modern-day preachers which are usually sugar-coated and do not
bring real heart contrition which is necessary for genuine repentance.
The Lord performed a spiritual diagnosis on the church and discovered their maladies. The true state of the
Laodicean brethren is that they were "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked".
Believers need to pray constantly like the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"
(Psalm 139:23,24). Whatever opinion we hold of ourselves matters but little.
As we consider the condition of the Laodicean church, we learn that we should constantly humble ourselves
before God; watch and pray always; be clothed with Christ’s righteousness because self-righteousness is like
filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6); have the mind of Christ; crucify self daily (1 Corinthians 15:31); do
constant self- examination in the mirror of God’s word; and set our affections constantly on spiritual things
(Colossians 3:1).
Question 3: What can believers learn from Christ’s verdict on the Laodicean church?

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CALL TO REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION FROM LUKEWARMNESS (Revelation 3:19-22; Hebrews 12:5-13;
Proverbs 3:11,12; 13:24; 14:14; John 10:11-16; 15:13; James 5:19,20)

Christ as our great merciful High Priest did not only rebuke the Laodicean brethren but offered them hope
by asking them to repent and come to Him for true riches. His timely warning was borne out of love for His
straying children. Those who have drifted away from the loving Shepherd are to heed the counsel of the
Lord and return fully to the fold.
Ministers of the gospel are to follow the example of the Chief Shepherd who laid down His life for His
sheep. Believers who are in spiritual slumber should take necessary steps to awake from their sleep.
Remedies proffered by the Lord for the lukewarm are, one, restoration of their precious faith in Christ (1
Peter 1:7). Two, to be clothed with the garment of Christ’s righteousness (Revelation 19:8). Three, to pray
for spiritual healing for proper discernment (Revelation 3:18).
Question 4: How can a lukewarm believer be recovered?

The Christian life is a life of self-crucifixion. Christ declared categorically, "If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). As Christ’s disciples, we
should daily commit ourselves to the practice of cross-bearing. This will enable us to remain focussed on
Christ and prevent backsliding.
The Lord’s love for believers is unparalleled and His rebukes stem from it. Those who are not willing to
bear rebuke are not doing themselves any good. The proper attitude should be that of appreciation and
not resentment, which could further alienate one from the affection of the Lord. "For whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth
with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons" (Hebrews 12:6-8). Following
the example of the Lord, believers and leaders are not to dismiss backsliders, but seek them diligently to
restore them to the faith. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him
know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and
shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19,20).
The purposeful response expected by the Lord from the Laodicean brethren and backsliders in general
was repentance, re-awakening, restoration from backsliding, recovery of lost glory and re-firing to greater
glory.
Question 5: What Does the Lord expect from the Laodicean church and backsliders today?
The condition of the Laodicean church depicts the spiritual condition of many believers today. God is not
happy with Christians who have lost spiritual steam because of pursuit of materialism. Such should take
heed to the Lord’s timely warning. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches" (Revelation 3:22). The Spirit’s unmistakeable message to the lukewarm believer is, repent,
return to the Lord, restitute and run the race with spiritual discernment and righteousness.
Everyone who repents, abides in Christ and continues to overcome temptation and trials till the end will
receive great rewarded in heaven. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21).

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