SEEKING BETTER THINGS

"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. . . . But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 7:22 8:6)

Devotion 3 of 26

THE MENACE OF MEDIOCRITY

The menace of mediocrity is lethal in its effects, desensitizing the soul to eternal verities. Little wonder Jesus indicted lukewarmness with such severity. When the fires of zeal are cooled in the soul, even though a "form of godliness" is maintained, the individual becomes repulsive to Jesus.

Let no person suppose this to be an extreme statement. Jesus has declared Himself on this matter. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev 3:15-19).

Why are Christ's words so harsh against this church? Why did the Savior assess them as disgusting (wretched)? What compelled the Son of God to say they were pitiable (miserable)? What made this outwardly successful church destitute (poor)? Why did Jesus say they lacked understanding (blind)? Why did He assess them as unclad (naked)? Why were they nauseous (to be spewed, out, or vomited up) to Him? How radically Jesus' appraisal of them differed from their own. They said they were "rich," had "acquired wealth," and did "not need a thing" (NIV). A church like Laodicea would probably be featured in many Christian magazines, and would have a booth in many great Christian conventions. But in the eyes of Christ, they were on the brink of being cast away from Him.

The reprehensible nature of this church was because their attitude was in sharp conflict with the nature of the Savior they professed to have embraced. Everything about the Divine initiative toward men is excellent and zealous. Not a single aspect of it is casual or indifferent. The provision of the Law and the prophets prepared men for a remarkable redemption. The powerful ministry of John the Baptist was anything but mediocre. Our Lord Jesus Christ aggressively entered into the work given Him by the Father: seeking and saving that which was lost. It is not possible to embrace such a Savior while remaining under the domination of apathy, indifference, or halfheartedness.

The alarming prevalence of mediocrity in the churches of our land is cause for great concern. It indicates a condition that will, if not arrested, lead to sure condemnation. Mediocrity hides the benefits of the covenant, making it impossible to appropriate them. Without those benefits, we cannot survive the attacks of the devil or triumph over his delusions. There is nothing about God, Christ, salvation, or the New Covenant that justifies lukewarmness or mediocrity. It is time for the church to declare war against such things.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I do not want to be lukewarm in the eyes of Jesus. In the name of Your Son, I ask that You grant me grace to sustain an aggressive posture in Your kingdom.

-- Tomorrow: THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED BLESSED --