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. When he says he is the Amen, he announces that the church must agree with the forthcoming message.  
   As with the other churches, our Lod used images of the church’s physical surroundings to teach and encourage them into a firm, true faith with the Lord God.
   Jesus’ image of “lukewarm” relates to the city’s water supply. The city of Heliopolis to the northwest was famous for its hot, healing mineral springs. An aqueduct was built to bring the water to Laodicea. The water that was hot and therapeutic at its sources, became lukewarm in Laodicea. It lost its value, too warm to drink, too cool for healing baths. The salve Jesus referred to was produced by a medical school in Laodicea to care for many eye diseases. When Jesus declares, “I wish you were either one or the other!” he wants to awaken the church to have a purity of purpose as refined gold. They need the salve of obedience, repentance and forgiveness to see the full flavor of Jesus within them.
   Lukewarm hearts for Jesus is a very common issue in our own lives, isn’t it? So easily it seems we lose the wonder and joy of Jesus’ incredible love for us. Our daily routine can take us a long way from the Lord if we become complacent with our spiritual disciplines. How quickly the world can cool our hearts and cloud our eyes.
   Keep your eyes fixed on “the Amen the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” Consider the wonder of his message throughout Scripture that tells of his fiery passion for you. He wants you hot for him. “Be earnest and repent.” he says, Be rich in a bounteous love for the one who loves you.
 
Prayer: Enflame my faith, Lord Jesus. Amen.