From Pastor Perry

Revelation 3:14–22 (ESV)

To the Church in Laodicea

¹⁴“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.

¹⁵“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.¹⁷For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.¹⁸I 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.¹⁹Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.²⁰Behold, 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.²¹The 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.²²He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

This particular warning is always scary to me.  Jesus says “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”  Well… what constitutes hot or cold… and lukewarm???  I think this is a wakeup call for all of us to read, hear, and contemplate.  The Lutheran Study Bible states: Jesus rebukes the Laodicean Church for growing self-satisfied and indifferent to the faith. Becoming complacent and self-satisfied about our Christian walk can be as destructive as outright hostility and persecution. Despite this common failing, Christ still comes to us in His Word and Sacrament, granting repentance and forgiveness. He calls us to follow Him into life everlasting.

I pray:  “O mighty Rock, O Source of life, Let Your dear Word, in doubt and strife, In us be strongly burning That we be faithful unto death And live in love and holy faith, From You true wisdom learning.” Amen.