The Church Of God In Laodicea And Its Lesson

by H. CALDWELL | Category: General | Jun 1956

As the Son of Man walked in the midst of the churches, His eyes which were as a flame of fire, and before which all things are naked and laid open, were quick to perceive the lack of love in Ephesus, the loss of (spiritual) life in Sardis and the dearth of loyalty in Laodicea. In Colossians 2.1-3 the apostle Paul in the outpourings of his heart could say, "For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea ... that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the Mystery of God, even Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden." Paul realized, when he came to know Christ, that there was nothing and none to be compared with Him. Listen to his own words, as he placed upon the scales the knowledge of men and the incomparable knowledge of God, "I count all things to be dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3.8).

Why was the apostle found to be heart-burdened and striving in prayer toward these saints in particular? Had something gone wrong that a greater appreciation of Christ in their hearts would help to correct?

The Son of Man as He walks in the midst of the churches, in judgement, is characterized in each of His messages by the repetition of the same words, "I KNOW."

In Laodicea were saints who were neither hot nor cold in their love towards the One who had died for them. They had forgotten that He is the AMEN, that everything that is of value to the child of God is to be found in Him and in none other. They were found to have turned aside in heart from the One in whom were hidden unsearchable riches and were found to be seeking after the riches that moths and rust corrupt and men steal, and in doing so their character, in His eyes, had sadly deteriorated to the low level of being lukewarm, and they were found to be labouring under the delusion that they had need of nothing.

The Laodiceans were rich in gold and silver, but poor in their appreciation of Christ. They were clothed in the rich apparel of this world but they had not put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13.14). Their physical eyesight may have been quite unimpaired, yet they were totally blind in the spiritual sense.

The words of the proverb come readily to mind, "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth" (Proverbs 13.7). So the counsel is given, "Buy of Me gold refined by fire ... white garments ... eyesalve." How necessary these are that we may be complete and fully furnished in Him!

The Lord's appeal to Laodicea was, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Revelation 3.20). Theirs was fulness of bread and prosperous ease, but loyalty and love were drowned in the sea of selfishness.

We hear afresh the words of Moses to the new generations about to go over Jordan:

"And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land... to give thee ... goodly cities ... houses full of all good things... vineyards and olive trees... and thou shalt eat and be full: THEN BEWARE LEST THOU FORGET THE LORD" (Deuteronomy 6.10-12).

Let us then consider more earnestly the things that differ, and may our eyes in a day to come behold with joy the gold, silver or costly stones left behind by that all revealing fire (1 Corinthians 3.18).

"Your gold will waste and wear away,

Your honours perish in a day.

My portion never can decay,

Christ for me."

"If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up; if thou put away unrighteousness ... and lay thou thy treasure in the dust ... and the Almighty shall be thy treasure, and precious silver unto thee. For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God" (Job 22.23-20).

H. CALDWELL | Jun 1956
General