15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! 19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!
1. What was the condemnation of this church/pastor?
their deeds showed that they were lukewarm
BDAG-The unpleasant taste; BKC-In their feasts as well as in their religious sacrifices people in the ancient world customarily drank what was either hot or cold—never lukewarm; NET- The metaphor in the text is not meant to relate spiritual fervor to temperature. This would mean that Laodicea would be commended for being spiritually cold, but it is unlikely that Jesus would commend this. Instead, the metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing spiritual healing (being hot) or spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them. It is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.
2. From the context, what is lukewarm, or what was wrong with them?
v.15 I know your deeds, but v.17 you do not realized, v.18 take my advice and buy from me refined...buy from me white...and buy so you can see v.19 be earnest and repent
Summary: The lukewarm person do not know the reality of their lacking. They needed to see. Their repentance is in their earnestness.
Their material riches blind them of their real needs. The remedy was in the 3 things that they were urged to buy from Christ. Only He can help them to become rich, to cover their shameful nakedness and see.
NMM-We all swindle ourselves into thinking that what we’re doing is okay when, in
fact, it’s not okay in the eyes of God. The spiritual reality is that we’re like naked,
homeless people, but we see ourselves as wealthy and well-dressed. It’s an embarrassing
and humbling word picture.
Reflection: The lukewarm status is not only disgusting by our Lord, but also a shame to myself. In the lukewarm status I am blinded by my own need with my self-righteousness or being resourceful in worldly matter. These lukewarm status can only be changed when I turn to Jesus and see clearly again.
I need to pray to Jesus to see my lacking. And turn to him so that I will not be lacking in "refined" experience or walking around with shame or my sins not being covered by redeeming grace.
With the remaining days of my life, I once felt the need to do more work for the Lord, but in today's passage, I need to see my lacking and turn to Him.
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