Posted on 04/01/2010 6:04:01 AM PDT by Outlaw Woman
The Laodicean Class
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock.... Revelation 3:19-20
Recommended Reading Revelation 3:14-22
Churches find a lot of creative names for Sunday school classes and Bible study groups. Some churches, for example, have a Berean class, named for those who studied the Bible daily in Acts 17. Others have a Lydia class, named for Paul's convert in Acts 16. But you've probably never heard of a Laodicean class, named for the church in Revelation 3 that lost its zeal. Rather than being hot with love and passion, it became lukewarm.
Unfortunately, there are many classes, churches, and Christians for whom "Laodicean" would be an appropriate title. Small compromises, neglected habits, distracted devotion... these can lower the temperature of our Christianity without our realizing it. The Lord warns us by rebuking and chastening us; but we have to respond by opening the door and letting Him back in full force (see Revelation 3:20).
It's vital to stay at the boiling point in our ardor for Christ. Are you boiling, simmering, lukewarm, or cold? If we've lost our passionate love for Christ or the driving force behind our Christian labor, there's only one thing to do. Be zealous and repent.
Our Lord would have the Laodicean church be boiling and repentant. Some of us simmer all our lives and never come to a boil. Vance Havner
Read-Thru-the-Bible 2 Samuel 8:1-11:27
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