Overcoming Laodecia
We know we live in this “Laodicean” age of the church (rev 3).
At times, it seems as though we are doomed to apathy and lethargy. Why? How? How do we counter this social beast that is by all practical observations too big to move. One man with a canoe couldn’t have turned the titanic. How are we to turn this age of ours? Do we just jump ship and give up? Just focus on those in our canoe? Surely not. But what then? God does say in that same passage that he will grant all those who “overcome” the opportunity to sit with him. So, how do we overcome? Is it simply in our own daily disciplines of winning those battles with sin and the world we live in? Is it overcoming self? the devil? Lukewarmness? What?
It is interesting to note the proper context from Rev 3.15. When God refers to those at Laodecia as being “neither hot nor cold” and says “I would that you were hot or cold”, he is not saying, “I wish you would just get HOT and on FIRE for me.” To explain this as an interpretation of these words is to do a discredit to scripture. Contextually and culturally looking into the text reveals that Laodecia had no water source of it’s own. Hieropolus and Colosse were the two nearby villages where the water was piped in through a system of aqua-ducts, to Laodecia. One of these towns was known for it’s natural hot springs, which were said to be therapeutic to the ailing body, the other was known for mountain spring water that was flowing at a chilled temperature, most refreshing. When God chooses this phrase, he is saying, “I wish you were good for something, but you serve no purpose.” Just as you and I today would like a “hot” tea, or a “cold” drink, each form of the same substance serves a purpose. Rarely will you find someone that rejoices in a room temperature drink. God wants his people to know their purpose and move that way! Maybe that’s how we overcome…discovering that purpose??? anyone reading this have any thoughts?
