Standing and Knocking

" I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. " So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Because you say, " I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3: 15-17, 19-20
Those words are something to think about. Most of the time when we hear those scriptures preached, especially the part about standing at the door and knocking, they are being used evangelically. They are used in the sense that Jesus is knocking on the heart of the unbeliever. Jesus is doing this, but these scriptures in Revelation are directed at BELIEVERS. They are written to the church; specifically, the Laodecian church. I believe the church today has qualities of all 7 of the churches mentioned in Revelation. Unfortunately, I believe the American Church has many of the qualities of the Laodicean church. The Laodicean church was the wealthiest of the seven churches. The Laodicean church had become complacent and stood for nothing. Their indifference led to idleness. The Laodiceans had confused material possessions with God's spiritual blessings. They were confident, satisfied and complacent. Likewise, America is a wealthy country. For the most part everyone has their basic needs met and many of us live in abundance. Many are extremely wealthy. The American Church has become complacent. We like to stay within our 4 walls, with our comfortable pews, and beautiful stained glass windows. We have watered down our message so that we do not offend anyone, and they will come back. We have almost turned in to a social club. We say we want the lost to come to church, but when they show up with rings in their nose, or in blue jeans and tatoos, we turn our noses up at them. Come on folks, you all know what it is like to walk in a room and know that you are not wanted because you don't "fit the mold." Some of us invite people to church, but how many of us will actually share Jesus with someone outside of the church building. Many have to dust their Bibles off on Sunday morning before church. Would anyone know you were a Christian if you did not tell them? Shouldn't we be different? Shouldn't our light so shine that others notice a difference? What do you stand for? Anything? Or is it everything? When that abortion discussion starts at work, are you quiet so as not to offend anyone, or do you speak up and tell them you believe it is wrong? Jesus made it very clear how He feels about lukewarm Christianity. I believe we need to wake up! Time is short. We were called to GO INTO ALL the world and preach the gospel. I did not read anywhere where it said to invite people to church and hope they would come. Don't get me wrong, that is not a bad thing, but people do not have to be in a church building to hear the Gospel. Many will not come to a Church, but will listen if you share the Gospel and the love of Jesus with them. Let's Get Busy! Jesus is coming back soon! SOULS !