Revelation 3:14-22

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

There is a real danger that our own evaluations of ourselves is vastly different than God’s evaluation of us.  The church in Laodicea likely had a high opinion of itself.  They considered themselves to be successful and yet God calls them out for being mediocre and desperately in need of repentance and revival.  The good news is that even in a that is so problematic, God continues to pursue her and restoration.

THE PROBLEM OF SPIRITUAL REJECTION: The city of Laodicea did not have a natural water source that was close to the city.  The water had to be brought in with a system of aqueducts.  These systems brought in both cold and hot water from different springs.  However, due to the distance from the spring to the city; by the time the cold or how water reached the city, they were both basically lukewarm.  Unfortunately, that also described their spiritual state.  Idolatry, immorality, and false teachings were not running unchecked in the church, but faith, hope, and love were also rare commodities.  They had managed to build what looked like an impressive façade, but there was no spiritual depth or vitality.  Perhaps the size of the church was impressive, but it was all breadth with no depth.  They may have had a balanced budget but were languishing in spiritual poverty.  When the affections of the heart grow cold and our relationship with God becomes ritualistic; God describes us as pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  He wants to vomit us out of His mouth.  He is not fooled or impressed with our hypocritical religion.

THE PROVISION OF SPIRITUAL RIGHTEOUSNESS: God’s grace is so astounding!  He offers counsel to this lukewarm and spiritual impoverished church.  The only solution is to buy gold, white robes, and eye salve from Christ.  It is ironic to think that a person stricken by poverty now need to go buy gold, clothes, and medicine.  Clearly, Jesus is not talking about a financial transaction but a spiritual one.  Gold refined by fire likely represents salvation through faith in Christ.  He is the only source of true riches and the price for this gold was paid in His own blood.  The only currency with which this gold can be purchased is repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The white garments likely represent our sanctification from sin through the righteousness of Christ that has been given to us in salvation.  The eye salve may be simply the ability to discern one’s own spiritual condition.  This is the ministry of God’s Spirit and Word in the life of the believer.  Our hearts, the world and Satan can easily deceive us, but the Spirit of God and the Word of God instruct us in truth.  God calls us to a life marked by spiritual zeal and repentance.  These are graces of God granted to all who trust Him.  Salvation, sanctification, and spiritual discernment are precious gifts from God.  The reproof and discipline He practice on behalf of the church are demonstrations of His love for us.

THE PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL RESTORATION: Not only does Christ offer His spiritual gifts to us; He pursues us and offers the lukewarm and poverty-stricken church fellowship and feasting in His presence.  Jesus pictures Himself standing at the door and knocking waiting to be invited in to feast on a spiritual banquet of His own making.  He loves us and longs to be in fellowship with us, but as long as we insist on our own self-righteousness and try to get by on spiritual mediocrity, Jesus will be on the outside looking in.  To all who will turn from sin and self-righteousness and place their faith in Christ; He offers a banquet and a throne.  We can rejoice in a vibrant relationship with Him and have the promise of eternal life ruling and reigning with Christ.  These are gifts far more valuable than prosperity on earth achieved through a fake religion. 

APPLICATION: Evaluate the state of our relationship with Christ.  Is it vibrant and genuine, or stagnant and phony?  Heed the counsel of Christ, respond to His loving discipline with repentance and renewed faith in Christ.  Place the highest value possible on our relationship with Christ and the eternal rewards associated with following Him.