There is something about that Name ∙

There is something about that Name ∙

You are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins – Matthew 1:21

Matthew 1:20-25

 20 An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

 23 “Behold! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

In the 21st century, a child is born every second. At the beginning of the twentieth century, popular baby names were John and Mary. But my, how things have changed in the century that followed. These days, you are more apt to run into an Emma or a Jayden.

Top Names of 2015

Male

Noah Liam Mason Jacob William Ethan James Alexander Michael Benjamin

Female

Emma Olivia Sophia Ava Isabella Mia Abigail Emily Charlotte Harper

Top Names of 2000

Male

Jacob Michael Matthew Joshua Christopher Nicholas Andrew Joseph Daniel Tyler

Female

Emily Hannah Madison Ashley Sarah Alexis Samantha Jessica Taylor Elizabeth

Top Names of 1950

Male

John James Robert William Michael David Richard Thomas Charles Gary

Female

Linda Mary Patricia Barbara Susan Maria Sandra Nancy Deborah Kathleen

Top Names of 1900

Male

John William James George Charles Joseph Frank Henry Robert Harry

Female

Mary Helen Anna Margaret Ruth Elizabeth Marie Rose Florence Bertha

Top Name of 4 B.C.

Jesus

Naming your baby is one of the most enjoyable and important choices you make as an expecting or new parent. Some parents have names in mind before their children are born, others choose a name after the child is born.

In the Scriptures, many babies are named by their birth fathers. Their names are often descriptive of something that they will do or become. Many times, the Father intervenes and provides a name for the child. In Biblical times, no technology was available to determine if the baby would be a boy or a girl. The Father, of course, knew while the child was still in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Here’s a short list of people to whom the Father gave their names: Ishmael – (Genesis 16:11), Isaac – (Genesis 17:19), Solomon – (1 Chronicles 22:9), Josiah – (1 King 13:2), and John the Baptist – (Luke 1:13).

But the most all-important name was the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21).

“There’s Something About That Name” is a phrase taken from a popular gospel song by that name. Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote it to honor the name of Jesus. His name emphasizes His power, peace, and salvation. It’s often used in prayer, worship, or discussions about faith to express reverence and respect for Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Every person’s name is special. The Father personally names some people according to His purposes. Before we were conceived and came into this world, the Father already knew our name. But there’s more. He doesn’t just know our names; we are so important to Him, and He has written them in the palms of His hands.

I have written your name on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Father thank You for inviting me into Your Forever Family. I am honored to bow my knee before the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

The name Jesus involves a fascinating wordplay. It is derived from the Hebrew word Yasha, meaning “deliver or rescue.” It has two spellings in the Old Testament: Yeshua and its longer form, Yehoshua. It is also related to the name Joshua. It was translated into Greek as Iesous.

The basic meaning of the word is simply “Savior.” In Psalm 67:2, the people pray that the Father’s saving power might be known among all the nations.

Psalms 67:2 May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among all nations.

The Hebrew word translated as saving power is Yeshua. Yeshua is the Father’s saving power through which salvation comes to all who receive it. The Lord Jesus Christ is the saving power of God. He was given His Hebrew name, Yeshua, directly by the Father. He sent an angel to Joseph in a dream.

Matthew 1:21 You are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

The clause, “You are to name him Jesus,” is better rendered as an imperative: “You will have a son; you must name him Jesus” (UBS). His name had a special meaning. He was the son of David, the Messiah of Israel, the saving power of God. One day, He would be the final king of Israel and sit on David’s throne.

Luke 1:26-33

 26 God Sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,

 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”

 31 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

 32 “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.”

 33 “And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

But there’s more.

The Father gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the highest place of honor. His name is above all other names. One day, every knee will bow before the name of Jesus. Everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Philippians 2:9-11

 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is something about that Name! Yeshua is the Father’s saving power of God through which salvation comes to all who receive Him as Savior and Lord.  

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Narcissism and the Last Days ∙

Narcissism and the Last Days ∙

People will love only themselves. – 2 Timothy 3:2

2 Timothy 3:1-5

 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times.

 2 For people will be lovers of themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a deep-seated need for admiration, and a profound lack of empathy, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). The roots of NPD are complex and multifaceted. Research suggests that there could be a genetic component to the disorder. Additionally, certain developmental experiences, such as childhood rejection or having a fragile ego during early development, might contribute to its onset in adulthood.

The prevalence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) within the United States is not universally agreed upon, with approximations varying widely. Medscape conjectures the presence of NPD at 0.5% in the general U.S. population but increases to 2-16% in certain groups. This means that a significant portion of the population could be affected by this disorder.

Being in a relationship with someone who has NPD can be exceedingly torturous, often leading to a specific kind of psychological mistreatment known as Narcissistic Abuse. In such a relationship, an individual with NPD typically subjects their partner to a series of emotional cycles:

“Idealizing: In this stage, usually at the beginning of the relationship, the person with NPD puts their partner on a pedestal, smothering them with affection, praise, gifts, and promises about the future.”

“Criticizing: Also called the devaluation stage, this is the period when the relationship has settled into a comfortable rhythm, and the person with NPD stops valuing their partner. Instead, they pull back on affection and may subject their partner to emotionally abusive tactics, such as gaslighting, putdowns, blaming, and projection.”

“Discarding: Eventually, the person with NPD pushes their partner away entirely, breaking off the relationship, often in favor of a new one that fulfills their need for validation” (Lana Bandoim).

“According to the DSM-5, you may have NPD if you have at least five of the following characteristics:

  • Have an inflated sense of self-importance
  • Fantasize about being more successful, powerful, beautiful, and rich than other people
  • Think you are special and only want to be around other special people
  • Need more than the normal amount of admiration
  • Feel entitled
  • Are willing to exploit others to your advantage
  • Do not feel empathy for others
  • Feel jealous of others or think they are jealous of you
  • Behave arrogantly” (Lana Bandoim).

“People with NPD have learned to ignore, suppress, deny, project, and disavow their vulnerabilities (or at least try) to shape and reshape “who they are” in their interactions. Change – allowing the vulnerability back in – means opening up to the very feelings they’ve learned to avoid at all costs. It’s not that people with NPD can’t change; it’s that it often threatens their sense of personhood to try. And their failed relationships often confirm, in their minds, that narcissism is the safest way to live” (psychologytoday.com).

“Narcissists can’t be narcissistic in a vacuum. They need the right audience to feel like a star, for example, so they often cultivate relationships with people who stick around for the show instead of the person. Over time, as their perfect facade starts to slip, their constant fear that people will find them lacking becomes a horrifying reality.”

“When they fall for someone who could be more than just an adoring fan – someone who offers the hope of a more authentic, enduring love – narcissists still live with the paralyzing fear that they’ll somehow be deemed unworthy. Their terror is frequently out of awareness and nearly always managed with bravado and blame, but it’s profound and palpable. Sadly, their anger at having their mistakes and missteps exposed ultimately alienates their loved ones . . .. The sad irony of the narcissistic condition is that, in an effort to protect themselves, narcissists inevitably invite the very rejection and abandonment they fear in the first place” (psychologytoday.com).

“When we fall in love with ourselves, our own appetites consume our souls. We become our own lover, pandering to that solitary ‘I’ which must, of necessity, dismiss all threats and counterclaims to our affections. Everything from thoughts to possessions must be lavished upon the one we love -ourselves” (Larson).

2 Timothy 3:1-4 “is one of the most terrible pictures in the New Testament of what a godless world would be like, with the terrible qualities of godlessness set out in a ghastly list” (Barclay).

The Greek word translated as difficult is chalepos. In the New Testament, chalepos is used only twice. In Matthew 8:28 it refers to the vicious ferocity of the two demoniacs from the country of the Gadarenes. 2 Timothy 3:1 describes the Zeitgeist, the character and essence of the age which marks the last days. The days will be so horrendous; they are difficult to endure, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, menacing, and savage. “The word was used in classical Greek both of dangerous wild animals and of the raging sea . . .. This gives us an idea of the kind of seasons which the church must expect in the last days. They will be both painful and perilous, hard to endure and hard to cope with.” (John Stott).

REFLECT & PRAY

Are invisible evil spiritual influencers working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for the rise of the Antichrist?

Father thank You that every child of the King can be free from narcissistic self-love. Strengthen and encourage me to love You before and above all else.

INSIGHT

“Paul opens with the sweeping statement that men will be vile in various ways. He is . . .. Voicing the apocalyptic foreboding of a general repudiation of law, decency, and natural affection. . .. complete moral corruption is liable to ensue when men abandon God for absorption in self and material satisfactions” (Kelly).

2 Timothy 3:2 For people will love only themselves.

The Greek term translated as love only themselves is philautos from phílos – loving and autos – self. Phílautos emphasizes “self-importance; hence ‘self-centered’ (NJB, NABR), ‘utterly self-centered’” (UBS). This term could be rendered self-lovers. People will be lovers of themselves.

“It is appropriate that this vice is placed at the head of the list since the other vices seem to stem from it” (UBS). This is far “more than just narcissistic egotism” (Quinn and Wacker).

“If we start worshiping ourselves, we will ignore God and start loving things and using people. This is the formula for a miserable life yet characterizes many people today. The worldwide craving for things is just one evidence that people’s hearts have turned away from God” (Wiersbe).

When people choose to love themselves rather than God, they become lovers of money (philarguroi from phílos – love and arguros – silver) and lovers of pleasure (philedonos from phílos – love and hedon – pleasure).

Matthew 24:12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

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© Dr. H 2024

Incomplete obedience ∙

Incomplete obedience ∙

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. –

Hebrews 5:8

Acts 5:1-4

 1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

If you’ve recently become the proud owner of a new puppy, it’s crucial to understand that one of the initial steps is for them to obey. Dog obedience schools are one of the most effective methods to achieve this. Typically, this entails enrolling them in classes where they are taught to obey and follow their leader’s commands. With the rise of digital streaming, organizations like SPCA have endorsed video training programs. These programs allow dogs to benefit from premium training, regardless of where they are in the world, without ever leaving home.

Every training routine should commence with clear communication. Effective training does not involve force but respect, love, and trust. The training should be tailored to suit the dog’s temperament and inclinations – it’s not a “one size fits all” situation.

Dog training encompasses an array of issues, including common concerns such as:

  • Disobedience
  • Aggression toward other dogs and people
  • Barking
  • Anxiety, nervousness, and separation anxiety
  • Chewing, mouthing, and stealing objects or food
  • Potty training
  • Hyperactivity
  • Selective hearing
  • Unpredictable behavior

The Father has provided a training school for each child of the King. His program begins with developing an intimate personal bond with each of His children, starting with clear communication. He does not use force but rather respect, love, and trust. Each of His training programs is individually suited to that particular child of the King. He trains every child of the King according to the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

REFLECT & PRAY

It is sad to say that some children of the King are often obedient only when they want to be. “God didn’t say be perfect. He said be obedient” (Stanley).

Father I want to want to be obedient. Engender within me tremendous love, respect, and trust for You. Obedience will be the natural outcome.

INSIGHT

“Partial obedience is the greatest enemy of obedience” (Stanley). However, what’s more crucial to understand is that partial obedience is, in fact, disobedience.

It appears embedded in human DNA to echo Frank Sinatra’s sentiment, “I did it my way.” The Scriptures abound with individuals who show obedience up to a point but fail to follow through completely.

In the early church, people exhibited remarkable generosity, setting a high bar. Ananias and Sapphira aspired to appear generous in their giving. They wanted to look good while deceit was lurking within. They were only partially obedient, which led to deadly consequences for both of them. They sold some property and donated money to the apostles in a spirit of generosity. They pretended to give the entire amount but secretly held some back. They overlooked the fact that the Father is omniscient. He knows everything all the time, and nothing can be hidden from Him. Peter was given prophetic insight and confronted them. Both Ananias and Sapphira died on the spot, three hours apart (Acts 5:5, 10).

Peter pulls back the curtain on what was happening within their hearts, revealing a terrifying truth. They had lied not just to the apostles but also to the Father.

Acts 5:3-4

 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

It’s disheartening to realize that this could occur to any child of the King. It likely already has, and we were simply oblivious to it.

How can we rectify this? The answer lies in following the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was tempted in every way, yet he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He was always obedient to the Father’s will.

John 6:38: I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

However, it seems there were times when He faced challenges.

Hebrews 5:8 says, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

It is the standard operating procedure for children to learn obedience as they grow up. But the Lord Jesus Christ was no ordinary son; He was the Son of God. This raises a paradox: How could He always be obedient yet learn obedience through His suffering?

The answer to this conundrum is found in His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion. Recall that the Lord Jesus Christ was the God-man: undiminished deity and true humanity in one person. From a human perspective, He dreaded the impending events leading up to the crucifixion. In His humanity, He was reluctant to proceed. He didn’t want to go through with it. He searched for an alternative. He appealed to the Father and asked if avoiding this fate was possible. He made appeals to the Father. Yet, at the same time, He knew that He came into the world for this very reason: to die for sin. However, He had already resolved the issue within Himself. Even as He asked the question, He knew the answer and was resolved in His own heart to obey. He stated, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Matthew 26:39 records that He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Luke 22:44 adds, “He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”

Amid immense distress, along with even greater suffering, humiliation, shame, pain, and ultimately death, He learned in real-time and, for all time, to obey.

“‘To learn obedience,’ then, meant coming to appreciate fully what conforming to God’s will involved. But this is not to suggest that Jesus had previously been disobedient and now needed to grasp what it meant to obey the will of God. Rather, authentic obedience is practiced in particular, concrete circumstances. So, as Jesus encountered fresh situations – and the focus of the text is on his suffering – his faithfulness to God was challenged, and his unfailing obedience to the Father’s will was tested again and again” (O’Brien).

As a human being, He acquired knowledge and experience just as other people do. “He especially came to know firsthand what it cost to maintain obedience in the midst of suffering” (O’Brien).

“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence” (Vince Lombardi).

Children of the King are required to chase complete obedience. But we know we will never obtain it, being imperfect people. But along the way, we will humble ourselves before our Lord and Master, submit to His authority, and willfully obey to the best of our ability.

Paul put it like this.

Philippians 3:12-14

 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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© Dr. H 2024

Don’t make me angry! ∙∙

Don’t make me angry! ∙∙

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. – James 1:20

Ephesians 4:26-27

 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Dr. Bruce Banner, also known as The Incredible Hulk, transforms into a green-skinned, rage-fueled beast when angered or provoked. The Hulk is a central character in the Marvel Comics universe and is best known for his famous catchphrase, “Don’t make me angry!”

Anger? What is anger? It is a common human emotion and part of the everyday human experience. Even the Father experiences anger. The Father gave us the ability to feel anger as well. However, the Father is holy, righteous, and totally sinless. He feels and expresses anger differently than fallen people.

There are three primary sources of anger:

  • Not getting your own way
  • Having your way blocked
  • Unmet expectations

Anger isn’t a one-size-fits-all emotion. All anger is not the same. Anger exists along a continuum from mild to extreme. It may manifest as frustration, irritation, or seething, explosive, uncontrollable, murderous rage. And, of course, it may arise anywhere in between.

But what does anger truly achieve? Sadly, these are not the righteous outcomes our Father seeks.

James 1:20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done (James 1:20, The CEV).

Uncontrolled anger and rage are essentially pointless. They are an exercise in futility. So stop kidding yourself. Short tempers and thoughtless words only stir up strife.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

James 1:19 You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

We have the ability to manage our responses. In His wisdom, the Father gave us a practical lesson by designing us with two ears and only one mouth. Engage your intellect and develop strategies to overcome useless, futile reactions to real or perceived offenses. Be sensible and exercise prudence.

Proverbs 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking an offense.

REFLECT & PRAY

An angry person stirs up dissension and starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin (Proverbs 29:22).

Father how many children of the King struggle with anger and rage? It is almost as though a savage beast lives within us, trapped within a cage of our human bodies. Now and then, we open the door. Please help me to control my anger.

INSIGHT

The wrath of individuals doesn’t bring about any positive outcomes and, in fact, often results in unnecessary complications and unintended harm. Therefore, it would be prudent to keep our anger in check as much as possible.

There are those amongst us who harbor a simmering rage within them, which frequently erupts uncontrollably. These individuals could be described as having a short fuse. Webster’s dictionary defines such a hot-tempered disposition as being prone to anger quickly. Unfortunately, their emotional restraint is akin to that of a volatile velociraptor. In such situations, Solomon’s wisdom serves as a warning.

Proverbs 19:19 Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

Proverbs 25:28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

Paul provides a strategy for dealing with it.

Ephesians 4:26-27

 26 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

As fallen people, we tend to hold on to anger and harbor resentment. Regrettably, this anger can become embedded in our personality, taking on a life of its own. It becomes a part of our character. It seeps into our core, occupying a permanent space in our innermost psyche. This anger starts to warp our sensitivity and thought processes, causing us to find fault and become irritable without any foundation in fact. Some people even develop paranoia, feeling as though the world is conspiring against them. One wise sage once said, “The world is not sentient; it does not know you exist. It is not out to get you.”

The peace of God and inner joy and satisfaction that the Father offers to each child of the King are often conspicuously missing in such individuals. Peace and joy simply cannot coexist with anxiety, frustration, anger, and bitterness. Anger left unchecked all too frequently results in depression and a desire for revenge.

In essence, the Scriptures perceive anger as rebellion against the living God.

Numbers 15:30 But the person who does anything with a high hand . . . (NAS)

Numbers 15:30 But those who brazenly violate the LORD’s will . . . (NLT)

Numbers 15:30 But the person who acts defiantly . . . (NET)

In the original Hebrew, the phrase, translated as brazenly violate, acts defiantly, with a high hand, is beyad ramah. Beyad ramah is an expression of arrogant, deliberate defiance “in spite of what the LORD said” (NET notes). It is a graphic word picture of a person filled with rage shaking a clenched fist. Try to visualize this in your mind. Can you see an angry person shaking their fist in the air? Ask yourself what is on the other end of this defiant high hand. Could they be shaking it in the unseen face of the Father God? In this case, unrestrained anger is ultimately a deliberate, intentional act of sin.

Anger is a form of toxin that harms our character, our relationships with others, and our ability to connect deeply with the Father. It pains the Father’s heart when His children are consumed by anger. When we are clenched in rage, we are unable to receive and appreciate His blessings.

Ephesians 4:30 states: “Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

Is there hidden anger within you? Is it so deeply buried that you’re oblivious to its existence? Seek the Father’s help to uncover what is concealed. Make a firm decision to let it go and not welcome it back into your life.

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© Dr. H 2024

Does anything make God sick? ∙

Does anything make God sick? ∙

So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! – Revelation 3:16

Revelation 3:15-17

 15 I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

 17 You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

The Laodiceans boasted that they were rich and needed nothing.

In the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ addresses seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each letter is meticulously crafted to suit its intended recipient, considering each congregation’s distinctive conditions, cultural aspects, and collective mindset. These epistles contain His personal evaluations, commendations where appropriate, critique, and instruction.

The nearby Lycus River’s water was too muddy to be potable. It was essentially undrinkable. Consequently, Laodicea’s water supply was delivered via an aqueduct, remnants of which can still be seen today. The deposits lining the pipes attest to the poor quality of the water. By the time it reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. Moreover, due to its impurities, the water had an emetic property – it caused people to vomit.

Hieropolis, renowned for its therapeutic hot springs, and Colossae, celebrated for its pristine, cold water (Wiersbe), were located nearby. Hence, the terms “hot” and “cold” bear historical relevance that illuminates our understanding of the reproof issued by the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, this passage is misinterpreted because it is taken entirely out of its historical and geographical context. Knowing the backdrop of the local surroundings allows its meaning to be properly unpacked.

Revelation 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

REFLECT & PRAY

Ephesians 4:30 Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Father encourage and enable us to have lives that are refreshing or helpful to others. May we be pleasing in Your sight.

INSIGHT

Laodicea was unique among the seven churches in that it received no commendation. Much like its own tepid water supply, the Laodicean church was also lukewarm. “The condemnation of Laodicea begins with a picture of almost crude vividness; because the Laodiceans are neither cold nor hot, they have about them a kind of nauseating quality, which will make the risen Christ vomit them out of his mouth” (Barclay). This analogy might seem a bit confusing to the 21st-century audience, but to the inhabitants of Laodicea, the message from the Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear.

The Greek word, translated as spit or vomit, is emeo. Emeo literally means to spit out, vomit, or throw up. The English word emetic is derived from it and refers to a substance that induces vomiting. Spitting is frequently an act of contempt (Luke 18:32). This anthropomorphism indicates the intense disgust of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be lukewarm?

The correct understanding of the term lukewarm is understood in light of the water supply. The water of Laodicea traveled some 6 miles from the aqueduct. It was tepid, lukewarm, and emetic when it reached the city. This is in contrast to the nearby cities of Colossae, known for its cold, crisp mountain water, and Hierapolis, which had hot springs with water often used for medicinal purposes.

The water of Laodicea was a metaphor, a perfect fit for the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church. The Greek word, which is translated as lukewarm, is chliaros. This word is only used here in the entire New Testament. Chliaros means tepid, warm, or intermediate between hot and cold.

The Lord Jesus Christ found the people’s attitudes repugnant. Their hearts were tepid, impure, proud, and arrogant. How might we characterize being lukewarm? It connotes being equally removed from two opposite extremes. In that the Lord Jesus Christ used it in a pejorative sense, it could mean middle-of-the-road, uncommitted, indifferent, lethargic, unremarkable, mundane, mediocre, unexceptional, apathetic, halfhearted, lacking zeal, paltry, or the like.

They were complacent, self-satisfied, self-sufficient, obtuse, insensitive, and lacked commitment to the Father and the word of God. They were just going through the motions spiritually. They had one foot in the world and the other in church. They had fallen for the allure of pleasures of the world. They were ambivalent, being content with their wealth and materialism. Consequently, they were obtuse, blinded to their spiritual impoverishment. The Lord Jesus Christ declared that they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked (Revelation 3:17).

Yet, despite their moribund, delusional condition, the Lord Jesus Christ continued to love them.

It is no coincidence that the Lord Jesus Christ calls upon them to repent. He makes a magnificent offer and promise.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Is Revelation 3:20 written as an appeal to non-believers? Does it target those who have not placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Or is it directed towards the indifferent children of the King?

The Lord Jesus Christ invites the hearers to experience fellowship with Him. The hearers claim to be self-satisfied and in need of nothing. The reality is quite different. From the perspective of the Lord, they are deluding themselves. Morally and spiritually, they stand exposed, naked in the sight of God. Such attitudes are not limited to any particular group. They are characteristic of nonbelievers, nominal believers, and sadly lapsed, fleshly children of the King.

The church in Laodicea reflected the values of its culture: exhibiting pride, self-reliance, and a perceived lack of need for external support, even from the Father. Comparing the church in North America with churches across various other regions of the world, it’s somewhat alarming to note how the challenges faced by the Laodiceans are eerily similar to our own (Keener).

Shallow, repetitive prayer and dry devotional times are sadly commonplace in our lives. They often arise from a diminished sense of need for the Father. Our material abundance has become a source of our spiritual poverty as it did for the Laodiceans.

“If the Book of Revelation were written today, and there was a letter to the church in America, I think it would decry the fact that our materialism and wealth . . ..” (Richard Stearn).

His knock and call are a reproof and yet a loving request. Rather than being spiritually bland, as lukewarm water, we are to be soothing, restorative, and revitalizing water: either refreshingly cool or therapeutically warm.

The church at Laodicea provides ample motivation for each of us to examine our hearts.

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© Dr. H 2024