Again, the church of the Laodicean’s seemed to be indifferent and unmoved in the things concerning Christ. The word indifferent means unbiased, as saying, “it does not matter one way or another,”or, “it’s of no importance or value one way or the other.” It also means to be marked by apathy, a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for some thing. Now, in order to help us understand how the Laodicean’s lukewarmness possibly came to be we are still looking to Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. Why, because of who this epistle is also directed (Colossians 2:1) (Colossians 4:16).
Through the teaching in Colossians, let us see what the Lord (through Paul) expects of those who have true faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that the absence of these truths and disciplines can be the very reason for lukewarmness in the Laodicean’s.
Many Jewish Christians felt it necessary for gentile christians to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in addition to following Christ, as seen in (Acts 15:1-5). The early church had to constantly deal with this problem. Paul dealing with it as seen in his writing of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and now Colossians (with reference to Laodicea).
Notice – Paul deals with this false teaching by pointing out…….
- Through baptism into Christ we experience the “true circumcision” – which is the cutting away of the sins of the flesh (2:11-13).
- By Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus has taken the ceremonial law out of the way (2:14-15) (Ephesians 2:14-16).
- Therefore, we are to let no one judge us (condemn us) in matters of Ceremonial Law, which Jesus Christ nailed to the cross (3:14)
- Today – there are many who still try to bind regulations, works, law, to the gospel where it becomes a belief in Jesus Christ for who and what He did plus something I must do in order to be saved and maintain that salvation. We have died to the Law and Jewish ceremonialism (Romans 7:1-6). We have been set free and need to beware of becoming entangled again with a yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1-4). If we seek justification by our observance of things found in the Law. Notice, we are fallen from grace (Galatians 5:2-4). Eating and drinking is making reference to the dietetic injunctions of the Mosaic law which had a strong hold on the jewish mind (Acts 10:9-16). Eating and drinking is making reference to the dietetic injunctions of the Mosaic law which had a strong hold on the jewish mind – (Acts 10:9-16). The idea is that this was essential to salvation – and obligatory to the Gentile – as if what you eat makes you righteous or holy to God (Romans 14:1-17) (1 Timothy 4:4-5). On the appearance of the new moon, among the Hebrews, in addition to the daily sacrifices, two bullocks, a ram, and seven sheep, with a meat offering, were required to be presented to God (Numbers 10:10) (Numbers 28:11-15). The new moon in the beginning of the month Tisri (October), it was the beginning of their civil year and was commanded to be observed as a festival (Leviticus 23:24-25). Sabbath’s meaning – the jubilee sabbath, which was one year in fifty, the sabbath of the land, which was every seventh year, and the seventh day sabbath, all had the intent of finding rest from works. “This rest is now found in “Who?” – “Jesus!” (2:17). Remember what Jesus has done (2:13-14). Remember you (the believer in Jesus) are complete in HIM (2:20) (Colossians 3:10-11) (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) (Galatians 3:26-29) (Ephesians 1:3, 7-11, 23) (Ephesians 3:18-19) (Ephesians 4:13) (Philippians 4:19) (Galatians 3:24) (Galatians 5:1) (1 Corinthians 1:30).
A complete Christ makes His people complete. We don’t need to go to anyone or anything else to supply our needs. Christian you are in Him (Philippians 4:19)
This completeness includes giving us all that is required for our present and final salvation as individuals (Colossians 1:11-15) (Colossians 1;21-22, 28). The believer is in need of nothing but Christ. In Paul writing this epistle also to the Laodicean’s, is it possible that they were lukewarm because the gospel was being smothered by those who felt they must obtain their righteousness through the keeping of the law or by something they could add, never coming to the realization that Jesus was enough.