HOW INDIFFERENCE AFFECTS JESUS This city was located about 50 miles south-east of Philadelphia. Spiritually, as we will see, it was much further than that! Hierapolis and Colossae were about eight miles from Laodicea. It received its name from Antiochus II, in honor of his wife Laodice. Commercially, this was a wealthy city, trading in woolen materials. The indifferent spirit which it possessed unfortunately crept into the church there, requiring a stern word from the King. -- Tomorrow:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev 3:14-22)
Devotion 4 of 20
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write. . . "(Rev 3:14)
Here is a classic example of the effects a culture can have upon a church. Unless the people of God set themselves to be separate from the world, they will assimilate its manners, and incur the judgment of Christ Jesus. This is a particularly needful word in our day, when the church can scarcely be distinguished from the world, and appears to have little concern about that circumstance. It has absorbed the world's language, manners, and philosophy, and has thus become spiritually impotent. The spirit of accommodation has descended like a plague upon the Western church. From its attire to its music, and from its education to its methods, it has been wedded to this world, and "The World" is its wedded name. Much of this is being done in the name of evangelism, purporting to be an effort to reach the world for Jesus. But it has not been effective to alter the course of society. Rather, the taint of the world has splashed upon the professed church. Like the church in Laodicea, it has been contaminated with the society around it.
History confirms there was no violent break in Laodicea between the Grecian and Christian cultures. Their condition was very much like that of our place and time. The word must continue to be sounded, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty" (2 Cor 6:17-18, NKJV). The life of faith is difficult enough while obeying this requirement, but it is impossible to live in concert with God apart from it.
Paul had great inner conflict for this church. "For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col 2:1-2).
Epaphras had a great zeal for this church. "For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea" (Col 4:13). The Colossians were told to salute this church. "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea" (Col 4:15). The Colossian letter was to be read to the church in Laodicea, who had also received an epistle from Paul. "And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea" (Col 4:16).
It is difficult to conceive of a church being given greater advantage! The heart and prayers of the most prodigious Apostle who ever lived were for it. One of the premier Kingdom-men of the first century had a great zeal for this church, seeking its spiritual betterment and maturity. They shared Scripture with a sister congregation, being exposed to the very Word of God – a stirring proclamation of the nature and effectiveness of New Covenant life.
We learn from this that spiritual advantages do not necessarily bring a better spiritual condition. The state of the heart determines whether or not we profit from exposure to the good things of God. A classic example of this is also found in Israel's rejection of the very Son of God – "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim 3:16). Their house, Jesus declared, was "left desolate" because of that inexcusable rejection (Matt 23:38; Luke 13:35). In a blistering rebuke of the condition of the Jews, Jesus lamented, "you did not know the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:44). A knowledge of spiritually decadent conditions must not in any way deter us from zealously and powerfully declaring the Word of the King. We must be tireless in our efforts to edify the people of God.
If a church like Laodicea can deteriorate to the point where it becomes obnoxious to Christ, AFTER it has been exposed to much truth, and had been cared for by godly men, what can happen to a church that lacks such spiritual advantages! No one should be surprised at the state of deterioration in churches all around us. With a remarkable decline in Scriptural preaching and spiritual perspective, churches that please Jesus will, in such conditions, be exceeding rare. This is a perception that must be gained before any measurable improvement can occur in our churches. We do not need programs, strategies, and contemporary methods. If Laodicea could drift with the advantages of Apostolic teaching, concern, and prayers, what must we expect in our time – when spiritual shallowness, brevity, and fleshly accommodations dominate the church?
It is true, some call upon us to turn our eyes from this condition, but we must not allow such indifference to grip our hearts. We are living in a generation that is being subjected to preaching and teaching with little, if any, eternal relevance. It is altogether too common for entire churches to function year after year without any acute awareness of the "Amen the Faithful and True Witness." Those with a heart for God cannot overlook this condition!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, send Godly and insightful preachers to Your churches.