Wednesday, January 1, 2014

An Indifferent Response

Revelation 3:15-16
 
15"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
 
In the book of Revelation starting from chapter 1, the apostle John talks of the seven types of churches. These seven types of churches exist today. If you want to know which one you belong to,  you only need to read the Word and evaluate what you have witnessed and maybe partaken in. Rest assured that the Word of God reveals nothing new under the sun regarding who mankind was then and now. For every situation, there is an applicable word. In the NKJ Study Bible, the text reveals that the apostle John was addressing the church in Laodicea also known as Pamukkale. The city  was one of the wealthiest in Phrygia during Roman rule and was known for banking, it's medical school and textile industry as the study Bible reveals. The study Bible reveals that the cities only drawback was an inadequate water supply. Hmmm....a physical deficit that mirrors the spiritual one. Jesus says to the woman at the well that He is "living water." A place of great wealth as the apostle John quotes, 'I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing'. And yet, the basic is missing. The works of the people and its church show that neither they desire God nor that they don't. In other words, complete indifference. The apostle Paul addresses Timothy in 2Timothy 2:12 with a 'faithful saying,' If we deny Him, He also will deny us. But to be lukewarm or indifferent is the same as neither claiming nor denying. Does this sound like a courtroom answer to you? A witness who will neither claim nor deny a statement for fear of incriminating themselves on the witness stand. But the point of being a witness is to give a first hand account or knowledge of something. However, an indifferent response to anything about the Lord whether word or deed shows absolutely nothing. And God's response is that He rebukes and chastens those He loves and He commands they be zealous and repent. Is God asking the same of you? Have you been indifferent with Him and anything concerning Him whether in word or deed? Have you been like the witness in the courtroom saying, "I will neither claim nor deny,"? All in attempts to keep from incriminating yourself one way or the other. You are in a new year and God wants a new you. God wants your heart more than whatever dollar amount you can present. God wants your heart to be so strong for Him that nothing can stand in the middle of you two without experiencing your strong bond together. But if you want to deny Him, do so and be done with it for at least it will be clear where you stand and you will see where He stands when your time comes. Make a decision as to whom you will serve and then do so.

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