Laodicia - a tale of two springs.
Isn’t God good! [Of course He is – I know that!]
He always speaks to us in terms that we understand; things that are important for us to understand will never go over our heads. That is certainly the case in Revelations when he asked John to write down the following letter to the church in Laodicea:
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea…:
“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!... I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Rev 3:14-16, 19-22 NLT)
Laodicea was famous for its springs, of which it had two; on one side of the city there was a cold spring that attracted many who found its waters refreshing, and on the other side there was a hot spring which was famous for its healing qualities. One wasn’t any better than the other; they both had a purpose.
The springs attracted people from near and far in need of healing or refreshing, and where crowds are money is sure to follow. Commerce flourished in the city and people made their fortune. This naturally impacted the church as Christian business men invested more in the church. Not that this is bad (it is imperative that we invest in God’s Kingdom, otherwise we are wasting our resources), but little by little they were becoming self-reliant, and as they relied less and less on God to equip them they became less effective.
It was these springs that God used to describe the problem that the church in Laodicea faced. God asked them to imagine how useless their springs would be if they were lukewarm rather than hot/healing or cold/refreshing. Who benefits from a lukewarm spring? No-one!
God was saying that they may have hot and cold springs but their spiritual spring was lukewarm. It was ineffective; the church was not refreshing or healing anyone, it was contributing nothing to the city or God’s Kingdom. God longed for his precious church in Laodicea to make an impact, but to do so they were going to have to invest [time] in God; listening and responding to Him.
We also need to be a people that make a difference in people’s lives; either refreshing or healing, making them smile or showing them compassion. If we are just room-temperature we are simple unnoticeable – our faith having no impact at all – and that is disastrous for all concerned (including us)!
Invest in God today, spend time listening to Him and become hot or cold, whatever is needed where you are.
He always speaks to us in terms that we understand; things that are important for us to understand will never go over our heads. That is certainly the case in Revelations when he asked John to write down the following letter to the church in Laodicea:
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea…:
“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!... I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Rev 3:14-16, 19-22 NLT)
Laodicea was famous for its springs, of which it had two; on one side of the city there was a cold spring that attracted many who found its waters refreshing, and on the other side there was a hot spring which was famous for its healing qualities. One wasn’t any better than the other; they both had a purpose.The springs attracted people from near and far in need of healing or refreshing, and where crowds are money is sure to follow. Commerce flourished in the city and people made their fortune. This naturally impacted the church as Christian business men invested more in the church. Not that this is bad (it is imperative that we invest in God’s Kingdom, otherwise we are wasting our resources), but little by little they were becoming self-reliant, and as they relied less and less on God to equip them they became less effective.
It was these springs that God used to describe the problem that the church in Laodicea faced. God asked them to imagine how useless their springs would be if they were lukewarm rather than hot/healing or cold/refreshing. Who benefits from a lukewarm spring? No-one!
God was saying that they may have hot and cold springs but their spiritual spring was lukewarm. It was ineffective; the church was not refreshing or healing anyone, it was contributing nothing to the city or God’s Kingdom. God longed for his precious church in Laodicea to make an impact, but to do so they were going to have to invest [time] in God; listening and responding to Him.
We also need to be a people that make a difference in people’s lives; either refreshing or healing, making them smile or showing them compassion. If we are just room-temperature we are simple unnoticeable – our faith having no impact at all – and that is disastrous for all concerned (including us)!
Invest in God today, spend time listening to Him and become hot or cold, whatever is needed where you are.
-Andrew Carey
posted by Andrew at 9:31 am
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