KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Success
LAODICEA EXHIBITED ALL the outward signs of success -- wealth, comfort and respect...
The members must have rationalized that the Lord was blessing them because of the visible signs, but the hidden life of the congregation was wretched, miserable and destitute. The perspective of members in viewing a congregation is not necessarily correct.
Unfortunately, some congregations still judge spiritual success by the "ABC" method. Leaders and members in the church look at the visible indicators only. The collective knowledge of the congregation confirms that God is blessing them based on the externals, but the hidden dynamics of the congregation are an abomination to the Lord. When members see an increase in "A" -- the attendance, "B" -- the building, and "C" -- the contribution, the general consensus is "God has blessed us," but the example of the Laodicea proves otherwise. An increase in the "ABC's" is not always an indication of God's satisfaction with a congregation. (Matthew Morine)
KneEmail: "And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would 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" (Rev. 3:14-17).