Lukewarm Christian

[Neighbor]

Some practical applications ( Commentary)

https://brandonware.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/the-church-that-was-dead-and-didnt-know-it-1-5-14.pdf

And my own favorite exposition on the churches: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/a-solemn-warning-for-all-churches/#flipbook/

[D. Adrien]

1 hour ago, enoob57 said:

You just had to say that didn’t you 🥴

I do feel lukewarm about it though.

[Vine Abider]

14 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Revelation 3:14-22

⁴ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church ^[b]of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither ^[c]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ 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— ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.^[d] Therefore be ^[e]zealous and repent. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ 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.

There is nothing in the letter to the church in Laodicea that suggests the Lord is addressing nonbelievers. All His speaking here is to saints - children of God - who have become lukewarm.

When the Lord is addressing a church, He is addressing the "called-out" ones (meaning of "ekklesia"), not unregenerated ones.

[enoob57]

1 hour ago, D. Adrien said:

I do feel lukewarm about it though.

                                                                       
It's much easier loving The Perfect God...
                                                       
 than us flawed forgiven sinners       

[enoob57]

9 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

There is nothing in the letter to the church in Laodicea that suggests the Lord is addressing nonbelievers. All His speaking here is to saints - children of God - who have become lukewarm.

When the Lord is addressing a church, He is addressing the "called-out" ones (meaning of "ekklesia"), not unregenerated ones.

There exist lots of tension here in reasoning of Scripture...
1 John 2:19 (KJV)
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

This indicates those of a body of believers there exist those that are not of us... in fact this is where satan does a lot of his work
2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV)
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Paul specifically called our attention to this reality
Acts 20:28 (KJV)

[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

[29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Based on this Scripture the hermeneutic you are proposing may be incorrect 

 

[missmuffet]

8 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

There exist lots of tension here in reasoning of Scripture...
1 John 2:19 (KJV)
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

This indicates those of a body of believers there exist those that are not of us... in fact this is where satan does a lot of his work
2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV)
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Paul specifically called our attention to this reality
Acts 20:28 (KJV)

[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

[29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Based on this Scripture the hermeneutic you are proposing may be incorrect 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I second that

[SACREDWARRIOR]

19 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

There is nothing in the letter to the church in Laodicea

  Not true, The angel in this passage is sending a message to a functioning first century church founded by Paul, who had become lukewarm, he was not refering to "CHURCH" as individuals who are in Christ....

[Cyoder]

Isn't it interesting that only the luke warm is to be spit out.  Wouldn't this mean that cold and hot must both have a positive meaning? 

[teddyv]

2 hours ago, Cyoder said:

Isn't it interesting that only the luke warm is to be spit out.  Wouldn't this mean that cold and hot must both have a positive meaning? 

Yep. My understanding is that the allusion here is to the hot springs located near the town. Hot springs were considered therapeutic. As the hot water flowed away it cooled and ended up more stagnant and very poor for drinking or other use.

A cold cup of water is refreshing and life-giving.

 

[Vine Abider]

15 hours ago, enoob57 said:

There exist lots of tension here in reasoning of Scripture...
1 John 2:19 (KJV)
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

This indicates those of a body of believers there exist those that are not of us... in fact this is where satan does a lot of his work
2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV)
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Paul specifically called our attention to this reality
Acts 20:28 (KJV)

[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

[29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Based on this Scripture the hermeneutic you are proposing may be incorrect 

 

 

 

 

Well sure, there may be some meeting with the church who are not saved - yet by definition (ekkelsia = called-out ones) unsaved are not part of the church.  When the Lord gives the letters to the 7 churches, these are given to regenerated believers, not unsaved.*

Now may the church get lukewarm and allow those who are not regenerated into their midst, who would then cause issues?  Sure.  (which would probably cause more lukewarmness among the believers)

*"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is speaking to the churches" - again, by definition, this is to regenerated ones.