The Danger of the "Comfort Zone": Jesus’ Counsel to Laodicea

    

Have you ever sat down to a cup of coffee that you expected to be piping hot, only to find it was lukewarm? Or perhaps you reached for a refreshing glass of ice water on a hot and humid day, but it was room temperature? As someone who grew up from down south; I firmly believe the only tea that is suitable to drink is sweet ICED tea. There is something uniquely unappealing about "lukewarm." It’s neither soothing nor refreshing; it’s just bland. 

    This is exactly how Jesus describes the church in Laodicea. They weren't a "bad" church by worldly standards—they weren't teaching heresy or falling into deep scandalous sin. They were simply comfortable. They were self-reliant, wealthy, and at ease. Yet, out of all seven churches in Revelation, Jesus saves His harshest words for this one. You have to wonder Why? The answer is because a heart that thinks it "has it all" feels no need for the One who actually provides everything.

The Modern "Apathy" Pandemic

    The Laodicean condition is perhaps the most accurate reflection of the modern Western church. I firmly believe that the Laodicean church describes what often passes for "church" today.  The church today is comfortable. We are at ease in Zion. When we have a stable economy, advanced medicine, and constant entertainment, our felt need for God often diminishes. 

    If the Holy Spirit left today, the vast majority of churches would notice no diffrence this coming Sunday. These churches would still operate and function as it always have. The preaching would be the same, the worship would be the same, there would still be prayer, but no power. That is because there are far to many churches today operating in their own power rather than the power of God. 

    Today there is a great issue in the church when it comes to biblical literacy. Many Christians and sadly many preachers and pastors are biblically illiterate. By that I don't mean they can't read, but rather they do not know or understand the bible.  

    In the last church I pastored my wife had to fill in as a Sunday school teacher to a group of high schoolers. She asked them "Who wrote the bible?" She was expecting an answer like  "God" or even names like "Mathew Luke or John, or even Moses." Instead one boy chimed in and said "King James!" 

    Yet this is not just a problem with the youth in the church this is a problem that is multigenerational. While many have access to spiritual resources, a 2024 survey by the Cultural Research Center found that only 4% of American adults possess a biblical worldview. Many are "spiritually sound" in name but biblically illiterate in practice.

    The church today does not just struggle when it comes to understanding and applying the bible. They struggle to even pray! Statistics on spiritual habits show that while many claim to believe in prayer, the average Christian spends less than five minutes a day in focused prayer. We have become accustomed to living without Christ until Sunday morning, carving out just one hour for God while keeping the rest for ourselves.

    I say all that to say this; we are living in a Laodicean age. The apathy and indifference in both the pew and the pulpit is alarming. It's not that we are an out right apostate church (although many churches are becoming that way), but we are not on fire for the things of God anymore. Worship is no longer a priority in our lives. Prayer is no longer seen as vital or important. We have bibles on our phones yet rarely ever read them. We are Lukewarm.

    Here is the danger of being lukewarm; If something is not done it won't be long before we become cold. If a fire cools to just a few embers, unless some wood is put on it the fire will all go out. If you have a lukewarm bath, it won't take long before that bath becomes cold as ice. Our spiritual growth must be maintained. We need to continue to feed the fire of our spiritual walk with God. 

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write... 'I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing"—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed... and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.'" — Revelation 3:14–18 (NKJV)

The Cure for a Lukewarm Heart:

Jesus doesn't just diagnose the problem; He offers a divine counsel to help us regain our passion.

1. Seek God to Open Your Eyes

    The Laodiceans thought they were "rich and increased with goods," but Jesus told them they were "blind." We often mistake physical comfort for spiritual health. We need the "eye salve" of the Holy Spirit to see our true spiritual poverty. Until we realize we are "wretched and poor" without Him, we will never truly seek Him. 

    There are many Christians today who do not feel they "NEED" prayer, scripture, or even church. They may not say it in words, but they shout it with their actions.  Is God really a top priority in your life? Do you really want or desire to spend time alone with God? Is there a hunger, a desire to know more about God and what He desires for your life? If you answered no to any of these questions you absolutely need to open your eyes today! 

2. Seek His Righteousness

    Jesus tells them to buy "gold refined in the fire" and "white garments." In a city famous for its black wool and banking, Jesus reminds them that true wealth is found in a character tested by fire and a life clothed in His righteousness. It’s a call to stop relying on our own bank accounts or reputations and start relying on His grace.

    This is where a lot of people get hung up. They come to the point where they know there life is not what it should be. They come to the realization that something is not quite right with their walk with God. So they go to church, they start reading their bible, they begin serving others in some capacity. They do this all in the hopes of alleviating this issue. The problem is not that these activities is bad, but that they left the most vital component out. They forgot that what they need most is for God to work in there life. They fail to understand that they can't manufacture a spiritual revival. We need to seek the presence of Jesus Christ first.  

3. Prize Him Above All Things

The ultimate problem in Laodicea was a lack of priority. They had become accustomed to a Christ-less life. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to invite Him back into the center of our lives. He desires to be our first priority, not a Sunday morning hobby. When we find that we have placed Jesus in the back seat of our life. That is the time we need to pull over get out and let Jesus in the driver seat once again! Make Him the single biggest priority in your life and trust in His ability to guide your life. 

Finding Your Fire Again

Jesus ends His counsel with a beautiful reminder: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." The harsh words were an act of love designed to wake them up. He was zealous in His love for us—bleeding and dying on a cross—and He invites us to be zealous in our love for Him.

How to turn up the heat today:

Perform a Priority Check: Looking at your calendar and your bank statement, would someone conclude that Jesus is your first priority?

Ask for the "Eye Salve": Spend time today asking God to show you your life as He sees it. Ask Him to remove the blinders of comfort.

Open the Door: Don't wait until Sunday. Invite Jesus into your morning commute, your lunch break, and your evening rest.

Are you like the church in Laodicea—comfortable, apathetic, and flavorless? Or are you ready to experience His all-consuming love and find your passion again? He is standing at the door. All you have to do is open it.