Laodicean Lackadaisicalness - Part 1

wOw! Here are two terms seldom, if ever, heard in the fast-paced, global communications of our day! Do you perceive their meaning and especially their current-day application??

The Bible contains many references to the concept of a whole heart, i.e., a heart or spirit that is enthusiastically loyal to The Lord. Whole-heartedness is defined as fully or completely sincere, enthusiastic, energetic, hearty and earnest. Antonyms of wholeheartedness include: half-heartedness, lukewarmness and lackadaisicalness, having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; being indifferent; lacking interest, vigor or determination; listless; lethargic; indolent. The Book of Psalms, especially Psalm 119, frequently references this whole heart concept, testifying of God’s desire for us to engage with Him, and with our world on His behalf, with an enthusiastic heart full of love, praise, worship, adoration and service. Other references note the harsh/undesirable consequences of half-heartedness or lukewarmness toward The Lord God Almighty.

Jesus Christ was God’s effective bloody seed, planted (died/buried) in Earth to produce an eternal fruit called ‘church’ -- a holy [separated/set-aside] remnant of humanity with a distinct purpose. Some Bible scholars understand this church, worldwide, would transit 7 rather distinct phases or ages.1 While this view is debatable, It is interesting to correlate Jesus' message to the Church at Laodicea noting its dominant spiritual characteristic, namely lukewarmess 2, with Paul's prediction in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Paul reveals a key precursor of the end of this age, namely a great falling away of previously faithful Christ followers. In His letter to the Church at Laodicea, dictated to Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos circa 95 AD, Jesus promises to ‘vomit out of His mouth’ fake, inauthentic, lukewarm believers. While this may have occurred all throughout the church age, it seems reasonable that satan ‘knows his time is short’, and thus he would increasingly ramp-up efforts to deceive and tempt believers who remain weak and easy prey. 3 

Jesus' stern warning about intolerable lukewarmness, fed by its material wealth and riches, and the resulting sense of self-sufficiency reflect no real need for God, or ability to display His power to an on-looking society and world.4 

The following examples paint a clear picture example of this scenario:

But Jeshurun [ancient Israel, the supposedly ‘upright people’] grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, you grew thick, you are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. (Deuteronomy 32:15; a pre-death, predictive warning from Moses to the people of Israel) 

And they [ancient Israel] took strong cities and a rich land, and possessed houses full of all goods, cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, and delighted themselves in Your [God’s] great goodness. (Nehemiah 9:25; a review of Moses’ warning that had come true hundreds of years later)

Ponder this: Who today might easily fit into this vivid, spiritual picture mold of Jeshurun?

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1 The 7 Church Ages are:

The Loveless Church           (@Ephesus)

The Persecuted Church       (@Smyrna)

The Compromising Church  (@Pergamos)

The Corrupt Church            (@Thyatira)

The Dead Church                (@Sardis)

The Faithful Church           (@Philadelphia, ancient city)

The Lukewarm Church       (@Laodicea)

2 Revelation 3

3 The global event that will signal the start of the predicted 7-year tribulation period of God’s wrath poured out on the Christ-rejecting world.

4 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ -- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked -- I counsel you 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”” (Revelation 3:14-22)

(See: Part 2)