songsofjesus.com

The lukewarm church and God’s amazing heart of mercy

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I can’t help but notice something that I think speaks volumes about the heart of God.  As I read about the lukewarm church in Laodicea it’s hard not to see just what a wretched condition it’s in.  In fact, to this particular church God has nothing good to say!  He brings only rebuke.

But here’s the totally awesome thing… God’s rebuke is the proof of His love!  He still loves them!

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!”  (Revelation 3:19)

God’s not just giving up!  Here’s a church He has no praise for at all, only rebuke, yet even for that church, in that condition, He holds out His heart of mercy!  What a great picture of His longsuffering and love!

When we think of the church in Laodicea one of the first things that comes to mind is the words Jesus uttered about Him being ready to spit them out of His mouth.  I don’t want to soften that.  The warning is clear, it comes from Jesus, and we can be sure that He means it.  But why does He say it?  Because He loves us!  Because He wants us to repent; because He’d rather show mercy than judgment.  Look at the heart of God!

It sounds a lot like the awesome love God has for you and me as individuals, doesn’t it?  While I was yet a sinner Christ died for me!  Do we understand the love God has for His church?  That even if we’re in the most wretched condition He’s holding out His hand to us still?

Unless we come with this heart for His Church we’re not really coming with the heart of God.

Tags: be earnest and repent, church of laodicea, do you love the church as God does?, God loves the church, God's heart of mercy for the church, God's rebuke is the proof of His love, Mercy triumphs over judgment, the lukewarm church