HOW INDIFFERENCE AFFECTS JESUS What does it mean to be "spewed," or "vomited," out of the mouth of the Lord? For some, it simply means a loss of reward, or the receiving of a lesser station in heaven, so to speak. Such sophists imagine that it is not possible to fall way, leave your "first love," or return to sin like a dog to its vomit. Because of this persuasion, they have no recourse but to wrest the words of Jesus. Notwithstanding their professed conviction, their theology will not alter this expression. It will stand throughout the history of the world, and will ultimately face all who opposed it in the day of the Lord (John 12:48). -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 7 of 20
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Let it be clear that God can make man, place him in Eden, and then expel him from that very garden because of sin (Gen 2:8,24). God can place Israel in Canaan, and then thrust them out of it because they defiled the land (2 Chron 7:20). Judas was a very real apostle, and owned a very real kingdom responsibility. However, he "fell by transgression," and "another" took HIS place of leadership (Acts 1:20,25). A multitude of angels "kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 1:6). Jesus saw Satan himself "fall from heaven," being "cast out" (Luke 10:18; Rev 12:9). What will happen on the day of judgment when the perpetrators of these heterogeneous doctrines face these personalities who are living contradictions of their foolish views?
In our text, Jesus is speaking of disassociating this church from Himself – of unchurching them, so to speak. He would not allow them to maintain identity with Himself, for they were at variance with Him. He has wrought a great salvation, entering into it with great zeal (Psa 69:9; John 2:17). Our Lord will not tolerate an attitude toward Himself and His great salvation that is so unlike His own. Although the Laodiceans were close to Christ's heart – close enough for Him to send this solemn warning if they did not recover from lukewarmness – He would tear them from His heart, refusing affiliation with them. They could have not part with Him in this matter! If they did not repent, they would have no further identity with Him. He would divest Himself of His association with Him. Who is the theological champion who is willing to contend that a person can be saved by Christ while no longer being associated with Him?
To be vomited from the mouth of the Lord equates to being rejected by Him, cast from His presence, and disinherited. If one imagines being disinherited is an impossibility in God's kingdom, let him think more soberly. Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:24). Esau lost his inheritance because he failed to be aggressive to keep it (Heb 12:16-17). Israel was cast out of Canaan (Lev 18:26; Jer 9:19). There were some angels who did not keep their "first estate" (Jude 6). The kingdom was taken from Saul (1 Sam 28:17). Judas lost his bishopric (Acts 1:20).
In a telling parable concerning the nature of the Kingdom of God, Jesus spoke of a lukewarm person. The individual was allocated a portion of the master's goods to keep and manage until he returned. But the steward buried his stewardship in disinterest. He did not destroy it in hatred, nor possess it in thankfulness. The word of the Lord concerning him is this: " . . . from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away" (Matt 25:29). The person was a real steward, received a real stewardship, and was really expelled. The word of his destiny was pronounced by the one who once gave him a stewardship: "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mat 25:30). I would think a man to be a fool who imagines an unprofitable servant, outer darkness, and weeping and gnashing of teeth will in any way be associated with glory.
Rest assured, those who are severed from Jesus when they leave this world, will not be united with Him in heaven. Those whom Jesus rejects here, will not be accepted there! As obvious as that may appear, some still insist on believing such cannot happen! Whatever you may think about this text, it is in your eternal interest to do whatever is necessary to NOT become repulsive and sickening to Jesus! You may have heard that Jesus will overlook indifference. See to it that you do not believe it. The things concerning the condition of the church in Laodicea, like that of Israel of old, "were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me strength to remain faithful until I die.