HOW INDIFFERENCE AFFECTS JESUS "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16) -- 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 6 of 20
The KJV uses the word "spue"or "spew," while the NKJV uses the stronger word "vomit." The word used here does, indeed, mean "vomit." The technical meaning of this word is to vomit, to reject with extreme disgust, and is used only here in Scripture. It speaks of something causing nausea that is repulsive, and highly offensive – something that cannot be tolerated, and thus is regurgitated because it cannot be held within!
Here is an aspect of the Divine character that is apparently little known. There are some things with which the Lord is completely intolerant. He will simply not endure their presence, and woe be to the person or church that insists on keeping them! It is important to note who is the target for this word. It is not a corrupt government. It is not a morally degenerate segment of society. While those things are by no means tolerable to the Lord of glory, a corrupt and disintegrating church is infinitely more detestable to God than degenerate society at large. This is because the church has been given more, and therefore more is expected of it. When the sins of the world are found within the church, greater transgression has been taken place.
God revealed His impatience with perfunctory, or superficial and half-hearted religion under the Law. Give heed to the vivid language spoken through Isaiah the prophet. "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? Says the LORD. I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies; I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them" (Isa 1:11-14, NASB). Keep in mind, God had commanded the very actions for which He now upbraids Israel – a covenanted people.
Those whose heart is not in their religion, and who are indifferent to the "great salvation" that has been procured for them at great cost, are nothing more than stampede of restless cattle in the churches. They are trampling and defiling the courts of the Lord. The noise that rises from them is like an intrusion, and God is not pleased with it.
Hear the words of Amos, as he thunders the sentiments of the Lord. "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments" (Amos 5:21-23, NASB).
Jeremiah also voiced this perspective of the Divine character. "Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to Me" (Jer 6:20). Hosea spoke of God's people offering sacrifices as they were commanded, only for them to be rejected by the Lord (Hos 8:13). Solomon declared the "sacrifice of the wicked" to be an "abomination to the Lord" (Prov 15:8). There is no greater wickedness than for those who profess to be "of God" to be indifferent to the Lord of glory – to His presence, provision, and will!
The "lukewarm" are people who, like Israel in Elijah's day, "halt between two opinions" (1 Kgs 18:21). They cannot decide whether to fight against the Lord, or to fight with Him! They linger in what they imagine to be a neutral state, where the truth is set aside for a time of emergency. They do not take it into their heart, nor do they aggressively thrust it from them. The lukewarm do not throw stones at those choosing to walk on the highway to glory, but neither do they walk with them. How despicable they are to Jesus!
Yes! There are some religious activities, performed by people who wear the name of Christ, that are rejected by the Lord. They are not acceptable. What is more, they are offensive to the Lord, repugnant and obnoxious to Him because they come from disinterested and divided hearts. Those who insist on remaining in this dangerous place must hear the voice of the Lord: "I will vomit you out of My mouth" (NKJV). Jesus is not jesting about this!
The church in Laodicea was in serious jeopardy, and yet were remarkably religious! Do not suppose for a fleeting moment that this condition does not exist all about us. There are myriads within your very area, as well as ours, who regularly are subjected to the Word of God in some form, yet remain totally indifferent to it. They do not oppose the Word, nor do they heartily embrace it. They do not object to its propagation, nor do they insist upon it being declared. They are quite willing to settle for limited exposure to the word of their salvation, but do not count upon them to hide it in their heart, or persecute those who affirm it. Such individuals, be they cultured or not, are obnoxious to Jesus. He will not forbear them for long. O, that the church were more sensitive to the word of the Lord!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, keep me from being repugnant to the Savior! I want to be a source of joy to Him.