THE CURE FOR LUKEWARMNESS

This is a sequel to my last posts on subtle signs of lukewarmness and 5 Features of Lukewarm Christians. I recommend you read those for better understanding of this one.

The Laodicean Church was a Christian community established in the ancient city of Laodicea now called Denizli in today’s country known as TURKEY ¹.

Jesus had this to say about them back then as written in Revelations 3:15-19 (NLT)

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

Jesus recommended the following as a cure for lukewarmness

1. Gold: Earlier we saw that the lukewarm are destitute, poor and miserable. They might have billions of dollars in their bank accounts, the best social connections and might have built the most successful businesses. However, these achievements aren’t a picture of their true state- poverty/destitution/misery. The Gold recommended here refers to the true riches of the kingdom of God. In Ephesians 3:8, Apostle paul called it the unsearchable riches meaning it is unfathomable, abundant and massive wealth! This wealth is incorruptible (cannot be destroyed, falsified nor forged). It’s been tested, tried through the fire and certified as genuine.

Read: How to Gain Satisfaction

Photo Courtesy: Pakistankakhudahafiz

Some of the features of this gold/riches/wealth are

1.    Riches of wisdom and knowledge- Colossians 2:2b-3  “… and of Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

2.    Riches of grace-  Ephesians 1:7, "By whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

3.    Riches of God’s glory Eph. 1:18, "That you may know what the hope of his calling is, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."

Ephesians 3:16, "That he would grant unto you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”

Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ."

Remember Mathew 6: 9? Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: KJV

Why GOLD?

Jesus recommended this because the true riches of the Kingdom cannot be got by self reliance. We must depend on the finished work of Christ and consistently walk in his will to obtain that which has been released unto us.

Read: Busy Mom's Hack to Deep Intimacy With God

Photo Courtesy: Phos to Alethinion

1 
      2. Salve :
Eye Salve was a  Phrygian powder mentioned by Galen, for which the medical school of Laodicea seems to have been famous^.1

The instruction Jesus gave was “  anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”(KJV)

The word anoint is translated egchrió (eng-khree'-o)) in greek which means to “rub in” ².

Hold that right there let’s zoom in on the word eye salve.

The word salve is translated kollourion (kol-loo'-ree-on) which means coarse bread^.3  

Now we know that the word of God is JESUS (John 1:1) and JESUS is referred to as the bread of life (John 6:35). Therefore, Jesus was saying, rub me into your eyes so you can see clearly. Jesus is the foundation of true vision. We see warped when we take our eyes of Him/The word/Jesus.

Lukewarmness is a tango dance with distraction and the only way to have our vision restored is to fix our eyes on the word/Jesus. What’s your focus? The word or the world?

Read:  Mastering The Art of Focus

Photo courtesy: Bridal Waves

3. White garments

This garment isn’t some fancy handmade, Italian gown or robe. It is the garment of salvation, the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). A garment whose price tag is the blood of Christ. Now he said, get it from me because they don’t offer it any where else.

We can never stand perfect or acceptable before God without this garment that comes only from JESUS.

Even though the Laodicean church is a group of “believers” they were naked because they had begun to feel comfortable and rely on their efforts. This is a tricky situation for present day believers.

Have you begun to walk in self righteousness?

Ask the Lord to restore the garment of righteousness upon you. it is with this garment that we will partake of the wedding ceremony with the Lord and as His bride, we cannot afford to be ashamed or naked at His appearance.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” Revelation 19:6-9

Our groom is coming for us soon!!!

Prepare for He is coming!!!

Read: 7 Things To Do when You Feel Spiritually Weak

Committed to your fulfillment

Anne Atulaegwu

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