Lukewarmness is that curdled milk left out on the table all day. I’ll take ice cold milk, or a hot-milk-chocolate drink anytime but you can keep the lukewarm milk. Yuck.
I often wonder about where lukewarmness in the Church comes from or how it becomes so. It may as well be for a multitude of reasons, but this is how I feel about a lukewarm church. You can keep it, I don’t want it. Thankfully, I am not obligated to want it either. What a relief! I do however have this burning hunger for a nice steaming church or even a ice cold one–I can work with that. The question comes to mind in light of all this that how can we desire church like the Bible teaches us to if it’s lukewarm? This problem can’t be solved with a cliche “you’re no better than the hypocrites or lukewarm Christians, so accept it and enjoy it” remark. Its simply not that easy. Every one of us no matter how short we have fallen before are called to do righteous works, stand for truth, and call one another out on sin.
To note, and for further meditation:
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” Eph 5:25
“the church in Laodicea…because you are lukewarm…I will vomit(ἐμέω) you out of my mouth.” Rev 3:16
Church, I love you, but you make me feel sick.
To boot…after doing ministry in now every part of the world—with exception to South America—I have come to the conclusion that this lukewarmness is not an exclusive American phenomenon nor is it limited to the West. The problem can be found everywhere around the globe. From the looks of it and from the hints in the Revelation 3:16 passage it would appear that the deception of riches is our enemy in this battle.
“You say you are rich, but I say you are poor. Let me tell you how to be rich…” v.17-18
Lord Jesus Christ give us salve and clothe our nakedness, we have lost our way and bought into consumerism and materialism. Purify your bride now so that we could be presented to you spotless and clean. Forgive us for neglecting and robbing the poor and destitute! Overlook our selfishness and be merciful to us for your mercies sake…