During his time in exile on the isle of Patmos, the apostle John received in a vision a message which the Lord ordered him to “write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Revelation 1:11). Seven different messages were given to John, which in turn he gave to each, individual church accordingly. Amongst those seven churches of Asia was the church of the Laodiceans that is best known by the nickname “the lukewarm church” (Revelation 3:14-22). Much has been preached, taught, and written about the severity of Christ’s accusation against the church in the city of Laodicea. However, it is hardly the first time this accusation has been made by our Lord toward His chosen people. Although it is a reality that our Master is rebuking this congregation because of their indifference and neutrality in spiritual affairs, this author makes the bold statement that He is also reprimanding their indecision. A person who is neutral is commonly identified as someone who does not chose nor favor a specific side in an argument or dispute; however, neutrality can also be determined when the person is unsure of what side to choose. In other words, their inability to decide which side to favor places them in a neutral state. In His sermon on the mount, the Master taught that “no one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Mammon is the Syriac name given to the idol that was worshiped as the god of riches. Therefore, our Savior taught His disciples that it is impossible to please both God and our materialistic ambition. Only one can be the true possessor of our heart since “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). It cannot be denied that man often struggles in his election between God and the things of this world; this was the heart of the problem for Laodicea. According to various historical records, the city of Loadicea was very important and prosperous and its citizens enjoyed financial and educational security. It was a place where its inhabitants where self-satisfied with their riches. Regrettably, the Laodiceans misunderstood their lucrative prosperity as the results of their spirituality. The Lord reveals to them that their reliance upon the riches of this world had made them unaware that they were spiritually “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). This lapse in spiritual understanding is what resulted in this church becoming lukewarm. A better way to describe what the Laodiceans had fallen prey to is that they claimed to have faith in God, but heavily depended on their riches. This indecision of who or what to depend on is what Christ accused the Loadicean church of. Our Savior’s words had been spoken before by the prophets of the Old Testament against the people of Israel. In his old age and in his farewell to the twelve tribes of Israel, Joshua exhorted them to “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Inspired by Jehovah God, Joshua enlightened the people of Israel that God does not accept a joint or shared worship. He further adds to this truth by establishing his unwavering choice with his mighty resolve, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This is what the church in Laodicea was lacking. It is crucial for all who seek to serve God understand that “He is a holy God. He is a jealous God...if you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you” (Joshua 24:19-20). Jesus, in a similar manner, warns the Laodicean church that their indecision was provoking Him to “vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). This vivid illustration from John is an exact replica of Joshua’s warning to the Israelites. It is wise not to ignore that God never agrees to a halfhearted service. Presenting ourselves to God with this indifferent attitude makes Him nauseated and therefore will reject our “worship.” We must not ignore that the lesson being taught to us is that “He who is not with Me, is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30). In matters of religion, there is no neutral ground. This is true because “what communion has light with darkness” (2nd Corinthians 6:14)? These written words by the apostle Paul reveal the contradiction of those who believe that they can serve both God and idols. However, we must not limit the term idol to mean figures and statues only. Once more, the repulsion the Laodiceans had provoked in our Lord was that their materialism had become an idol for them. Jesus exhibits this by demonstrating how they confidently boasted “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17). This false ideology was the source that had made this congregation lukewarm. The Laodiceans were oblivious to the bitter truth that God only accepts all (hot) or nothing (cold). They were ignorant of their spiritual infidelity toward the Lord. God rejects a halfhearted worship because a double-minded (“lukewarm”) person cannot be trusted. The prophet Elijah battled this plague when the people of Israel refused to choose between Jehovah and Baal out of fear (1st Kings 18:21). This is why God denies man to be neutral. There is no faith nor loyalty in neutrality, but rather there is inconsistency. Once more, an indecisive man cannot be trusted because he is “unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). It is impossible for a man to remain steadfast in anything, if he cannot choose whom to serve. This is why the Lord reprimanded the Loadicean church and vehemently encouraged them “to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see…Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:18-19). Observe how the Lord urges them to make a choice, but also seeks to convince them that He is the best choice they can make. He motivates them to understand that true love does not betray nor is it unfaithful. It is why in His counsel, He reveals to them their need for zeal. Their lack of decision destroyed any desire for spiritual improvement. In becoming lukewarm, they demonstrated that there was a time when they were hot, but sadly the flames of their zeal had begun to wax cold by conformity.
