August 6 Be Earnest

 Revelation 3:14-19 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm –  neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”
 
WE come to the seventh church that Jesus speaks to specifically in the context of Revelation. As with the others, our Lod uses images of the church’s physical surroundings to teach and encourage his church into a firm, true faith with the Lord God.
    Jesus’ use of “lukewarm” relates to the city’s water supply. The city of Heliopolis to the northwest was famous for its hot mineral springs. An aqueduct was built to bring the water to Laodicea. But, as you can imagine, it was only lukewarm when it arrived. The water that was flavorful and therapeutic at its sources, lost its value. It was not cold enough to taste good to drink; nor was it hot enough to be good for healing baths. The salve Jesus referred to was produced by a medical school in Laodicea to care for eye diseases.
    Thus, Jesus writes, “I wish you were either one or the other!” This is his rebuke to the church to live in the eternal value and passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. His image is to awaken the church to have good, cold refreshing purity of purpose (as refined gold). And he desires they have a hot – an effective, transforming – love for God and each other. They need the salve of obedience, repentance and forgiveness to see the full flavor of Jesus within them.
    This is a very common issue in our own lives, isn’t it? So easily we lose the flavor and comfort of Jesus’ incredible love for us. Life’s realities can birth the question, “Where are you, God?” Waiting on the Lord can blind us to his eternal love as we watch loved ones suffer.
    Are we waiting for life to be “perfect” before we can offer God’s refreshing grace and love to others? Does our sin disrupt our desire and ability to see Jesus’ healing salve to a blind and broken world?
    Let’s then look to Jesus, who is “the Amen the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.” He is true and faithful. His truth cools our anguished hearts. His sacrificial love enflames our faith. Jesus is not impressed with our worldly wealth. He loves you too much to leave you lukewarm. “Be earnest,” he says, “and repent.” Be rich in a bounteous love for the one who loves you. Wear the robes of a redeemed, love-empowered disciple. Jesus’ lifeblood has cleansed you.
    
Prayer: Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for the times I’ve been lukewarm, complacent in my salvation, comfortable in my worldly life. I love you. Amen.