耶穌在啟示錄對其中一個教會說，因為你不熱也不冷，我要把你從我的嘴裡吐出來。這是什麼意思？耶穌是在責備老底嘉教會。祂說：我知道你的行為，你既不冷也不熱；我恨不得你是或冷或是或熱的。究竟耶穌現在是不是在說：但願你為我燃燒，還是我寧願你為世界而活呢？耶穌是要他們拿定主意二選一嗎？一點也不是，實際上的意思較此更深。距離老底嘉約六英里的地方，有一個以溫泉聞名的小鎮叫希拉波利斯。那是個做療養康復的地方。距離老底嘉十英里有另一個小鎮叫歌羅西，那地以涼爽、新鮮、潔淨的水而聞名。兩個城市都以水而名氣極大；兩者都各有風格，都是備受追捧和夢寐以求的地方。老底嘉就沒有這樣的有利條件了。當水通過數英里長的地下溝渠到達老底嘉之時，水已經變髒，只剩微溫。令遊客會有吐泉水的反應。老底嘉的水就像老底嘉的教會一樣，不冷不熱，毫無價值，沒有任何可取之處。事實上，老底嘉教會是唯一沒有被耶穌肯定的教會。半句鼓勵或讚美的話耶穌都沒有給他們。
老底嘉市是富裕的。它座落於兩條貿易路線的交匯處。市內的兩個主要行業：黑羊毛和醫藥都一一生意興隆。他們所出產豪華奢侈的黑羊毛在世界各地都備受推崇。他們亦以藥物學稱著，當地亦有一間藥劑學院。老底嘉市最馳名的產品是一種眼藥膏，可治療各種類型的眼疾。這兩個生意都促進了當地銀行業的繁榮與興盛。他們的銀行中心同時也是個黃金交易所，許多人都來這裡貸款。這城市以自給自足而聞名。而這種態度亦傳進教會裡。人民雖生活富裕，卻是拜金，物慾橫流。他們變得傲慢，只專注於世界的財富。他們活在富有之中，卻是忽視上帝。老底嘉美其名只是是一座教堂而已。在耶穌的指責中，祂形容他們是悲慘、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼和赤裸的。他們雖擁有如此多的財富，但並沒在應該被計算數點的地方富有。他們其實是貧窮的，因為他們屬靈上已告破產。人從四面八方來到老底嘉人那裡購買眼藥水。老底嘉人認為自己不僅能夠看得清楚，而且還可以幫助其他人張眼看見。他們竟然不知道自己其實是瞎眼的。他們應該去耶穌那裡，讓耶穌睜開他們的眼睛。老底嘉人以他們奢侈的紡織業為傲。他們向貴族和有錢人出售貴重的黑色羊毛，但耶穌並沒因此而對他們留下什麼深刻印象。他們穿著考究的羊毛衣昂首闊步，但上帝看到他們的狀況卻是赤身露體的。耶穌對老底嘉的教會說，他們已變得與世界太相似，與沒意義的俗世文化太相近。他們不夠熱，治癒不到任何人。他們既不夠涼快，也不夠提神。他們沒有任何東西可提供給任何人。他們是一無是處的。耶穌說，就因如此，我要把你吐出來。
弟兄姊妹們，請審視你的屬靈狀況。不要像老底嘉那樣。不要信靠你塵世間的財富。不要把物質和成功看得比與上帝建立正確恰當的關係更重要。不是所有說「主啊，主啊」這話的人將來得以進入天國的。我們必須意識到，沒有了基督，我們就是盲眼、赤裸、悲慘和貧窮的。謙卑地來到主面前悔改，懇求祂為我們穿上衣服，睜開我們的雙眼，使我們能屬靈富足吧。讓我們成為一個按著神的話語做實事的人，不要讓這些文化和肉體生活去腐蝕我們的人生，延遲或打斷我們的使命。讓我們一同把目光鎖定在末後的獎賞，以堅忍向著標竿直跑。
Original Text:
Devotional Sharing ~Deaconess Michelle Tam
Jesus says to a church in Revelation that because you are not hot or cold, I am spitting you out of my mouth. What does that mean? Jesus was rebuking the church in Laodicea. He says I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. Now is Jesus saying I wish you were on fire for me or I wish you would just go live for the world? Is Jesus asking them to pick one and make up their mind? No, it’s actually much deeper than that. About 6 miles from Laodicea was a town call Hierapolis known for their hot springs. It was the place to go for healing. There was another town 10 miles away from Laodicea call Colossae and they were known for their cool, refreshing pure waters. Both cities known for their water; both were highly coveted and useful in its own ways. Laodicea had no such advantage. By the time water arrives to Laodicea through miles of underground aqueducts, it was dirty and lukewarm. Visitors to the city would sometimes react by spitting the water out. The water of Laodicea was just like the church of Laodicea, lukewarm, worthless, no redeeming qualities. In fact, the church in Laodicea was the only church that Jesus did not give any affirmation to. He offers zero words of encouragement or praise.
The city of Laodicea was wealthy. It was located at a crossroad of two trade routes. Two major industries thrived there, black wool and medicine. Their luxurious, black wool was prized around the world. They were renowned for medicine and was home to a medicinal school. Their most famous product was an eye salve, which cure various types of eye diseases. These two trades contributed to their thriving banking industry. Their banking center was home to a gold exchange and many came for loans. The city was famously self-sufficient. This attitude spread to the church. The people were well off and materialistic. They became prideful, focused on worldly wealth. In their riches, they have forgotten God. It was a church in name only. In Jesus’ rebuke, He described them as wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. They had so much wealth but not where it counted. They were poor because they were spiritually bankrupt. People came from far and wide to purchase eye salve from the Laodiceans. They thought that not only could they see well but they could help open the eyes of others. They were blind and they did not even know it. They should have come to Jesus to have their own eyes opened. The Laodiceans prided themselves on their luxurious textile industry. They sold the rich, black wool to nobles and the wealthy but Jesus was not impressed. They strut around in their fine wool but God see them in the condition they are, naked. Jesus is saying to the church in Laodicea that they have become so much like the world, so much like culture that they now serve no purpose. They’re not hot, not healing for anyone. They’re not cool, not refreshing. They were not providing anything to anyone. They were good for nothing. Jesus said because of that I’m spitting you out.
Brothers and sisters, please evaluate your spiritual condition. Do not be like the Laodiceans. Do not trust in your earthly riches. Do not value materials and success over a proper relationship with God. Not everyone who says. “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. We must realize that without Christ we are blind, naked, wretched and poor. Humbly come before Him and repent, asking Him to clothe us, open our eyes and make us rich spiritually. Let’s be doers of the Word and not allow culture and fleshly living corrupt our lives and delay or disrupt our mission. Let’s fix our eyes on the prize and run the race with endurance.
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