Let Me In
Revelation 3:14-22
The Danger of Lukewarm Faith in an Age of Abundance
In our modern world of comfort and convenience, it's easy to fall into a trap of spiritual complacency. We live in an era where many of our physical needs are met with ease, where entertainment is always at our fingertips, and where success is often measured by material wealth and outward appearances. But what does this mean for our spiritual lives? Are we at risk of becoming like the church of Laodicea, described in Revelation 3 - wealthy, fashionable, and advanced, yet spiritually lukewarm?
The story of Laodicea serves as a powerful warning to us today. This ancient city was known for its banking system, fashionable clothing industry, and advanced medical treatments. They were so self-sufficient that when an earthquake struck, they refused help from Rome, declaring they had "need of nothing." On the surface, they appeared to have it all together. But Jesus had a different perspective:
"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Revelation 3:17)
This stark contrast between outward appearance and spiritual reality should make us pause and examine our own lives. Are we, like Laodicea, relying on our own resources and successes while neglecting our relationship with God?
The danger of self-sufficiency is that it can lead to spiritual blind spots. When life is comfortable, it's easy to forget our need for God. We may not consciously think, "I don't need you, God," but our actions and priorities can tell a different story. How often do we find ourselves thinking more about our bank accounts, our work, our families, or our entertainment than about our relationship with God?
Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to describe the Laodicean church's spiritual condition - lukewarm water. In the context of nearby cities known for either hot medicinal springs or refreshing cold water, Laodicea's lukewarm water was useless and unpalatable. Similarly, a lukewarm faith - one that is neither passionately committed nor refreshingly pure - is of no use to God's kingdom.
So how do we avoid falling into this trap of lukewarm faith? The answer lies in intentionally orienting our lives around Christ. It's about opening the door of our hearts to Him, allowing Him full access to every area of our lives - our money, our hobbies, our friendships, our thought life, our identity, our sexuality. Everything.
This isn't about following a set of rules or trying to earn God's favor. Rather, it's about recognizing our deep need for Him and responding to His invitation for relationship. As Revelation 3:20 beautifully illustrates: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Practically speaking, this means being intentional with how we spend our time and what we focus on. In a world full of distractions, we need to consciously give our hearts, eyes, and ears more to God than to the things of this world. This might involve engaging in spiritual disciplines like silence, solitude, fasting, and prayer. These practices don't save us, but they can serve as powerful tools to reorient our hearts towards God and remind us of our dependence on Him.
It's also about cultivating a spirit of generosity and open-handedness. When we hold our resources loosely and use them for God's purposes, we guard against the complacency that comes with wealth and comfort. We create space for God to work in ways that can't be explained by our own efforts or resources.
The goal is to live lives that can't be explained by the world's standards - lives that overflow with the living water Jesus promised in John 7:38: "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
This kind of vibrant faith doesn't come naturally in a world of abundance and ease. It requires us to sometimes make our lives a little more inconvenient, to prioritize our relationship with God even when everything around us seems good and comfortable.
As we reflect on these truths, let's ask ourselves:
In what areas of our lives are we tempted to prioritize comfort, wealth, and appearance over our relationship with God?
Where is God knocking, asking to be let into areas of our lives we've kept closed off?
What practical steps can we take to cultivate a more passionate, engaged faith?
Remember, God's invitation is always open. He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking, waiting for us to let Him in. He doesn't want to be a distant acquaintance or even just a close friend - He wants to be family. He wants full access to our lives because He knows what's best for us and wants us to truly thrive.
In a world that constantly vies for our attention and affection, may we have the courage to open the door wide to Christ, allowing His presence to transform us from the inside out. May we move beyond lukewarm faith to experience the fullness of life that comes from wholehearted devotion to God. For it's only when we recognize our deep need for Him that we can truly experience the riches of His grace and the power of His transforming love.