“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
I would be deeply troubled if I knew our church had embraced some heresy. I would be greatly concerned if I knew some source outside the church was intent on destroying us. But there is something I fear more than either of these things. In the first place, I am confident that our church is established in the faith and not likely to cast it aside. Secondly, no outward force can destroy the Lord’s church, although it can trouble it. Far more than these things I fear the possibility of becoming a lukewarm church such as we see in our text.
This is a sickening picture, depicting the Lord vomiting a lukewarm church out of His mouth- the worst thing that could happen to a church. Had the church been cold the Lord might have been longsuffering due to the fact that their condition might have caused them to see their need. But He is disgusted with them because they are lukewarm and think they “have need of nothing” ( vs. 17). Blinded by their pride they do not see themselves as “wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked ” (vs. 17). Being in that horrible spiritual condition they are indifferent toward God.
The ideal, the divine desire, is that they be “hot“- zealous, on fire for God. There is no excuse for it being otherwise. The church should be a place where the disciple’s devotion is on display. It should be a place where people find warmth, refreshment, and healing. And each member has a responsibility to do their part.
Sadly this is a perfect picture of what can be seen today. Yet few seem to be disgusted by it- except the Lord, the One who matters most. That is very telling. That which disgust the Lord should disturb us. We should consider His concerns. When the state of a church is such as this it becomes its own worst enemy. And that is a problem God will not tolerate – “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” ( vs. 19). We had best heed His warning or we will suffer the consequences. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
