Diluted, Disgusting, Deceived, and Defiled

"These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 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..." Revelation 3:14-17

As I think of the unspeakable revulsion of our Lord to the complacency, the compromise, and the carnality of many so-called churches, an unsettling, yet surprisingly logical thought arises. Is it possible that, when faced with the man-worship and business machinery that passes for respectable Christianity, the most godly response a saint of God can have is to be made physically ill? If Jesus Himself, our Example, will "spew" or "vomit" such arrogant self-satisfaction out of His mouth, should we not be similarly disgusted?

This is not to negate our Lord's sincere, longsuffering call: "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." (v 18) Christ Himself is pure riches, but only those that realize their bankruptcy will cry out for Him, ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3). Christ Himself is our righteousness, the pure garment to hide our shame, (Zechariah 3:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:30) but the proud see nothing shameful in their current state. Christ Himself is sight for the blind, (John 9:11) but it takes humility to admit helplessness (Matthew 9:27-31). Sadly, we no longer see ourselves as a needy people.

I suspect that the majority of those reading this are thinking either, "I'm glad that's not me," or "I know just the person he's talking about! They should be reading this!" I too, even now, face the temptation to first look outward with accusing and lofty stares. Self-righteousness runs deep, grows subtly, and blinds us. It also leaves us wretched, miserable, poor, and naked.

I fear that smug, self-sufficient, lifeless religion is epidemic in our congregations. And it makes God sick.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)