Mediocrity v24n32

Mediocrity!

V24 n32

Mediocrity: to be mediocre; medium quality; having only a moderate degree of worth. An attitude of only a medium degree of effort.

What if God’s attitude to and for us, was the same as our attitude is usually towards Him, that is, only mediocre? If God’s attitude was the same as ours, do you think that reconciliation would have ever been offered or afforded to us?

The last epistle in the New testament addresses a Church or group of believers that had a mediocre attitude towards God and His instructions. They had become very complacent in their attitude to and for God, and yet considered themselves to be doing quite well spiritually. This attitude of mediocrity or self-sufficiency spanned several generations of these people, in spite of their having continual instructions from the first apostles.

Rev 3:14-19, 14. "To the messenger of the church in Laodicea write: `The Amen, the true and faithful witness, the origin of God's creation, speaks as follows: 15. "I know what you are doing, and that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16. As it is, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. 17. Because you say, `I am rich, I have already become rich, I need nothing,' and you do not know that you are the very one that is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked; 18. I advise you to buy of me gold that has been refined in the fire, so that you may become rich, and white clothes to put on, to hide your shameful nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes, to make you see. 19. The people whom I dearly love, I always reprove and discipline. So keep on being earnest and once for all repent. (Williams NT).

How often does one take a similar attitude as these people did towards God and His Word? What one often forgets (or does not know) is that about thirty years earlier these same people were sent a message or letter by the apostle Paul. Not only did Paul send them a letter, but also instructed them to hear the epistle that was also sent to the church at Colossae, at around the same time.

Another fact that few people know, is that a short time after these epistles were sent or delivered to these people, an earthquake devastated the towns of Colossae and Laodicea. And, as we know, the town of Laodicea was rebuilt; however, did their attitude towards God and His Word improve or change any? Did the following generation hear any better and learn from the mistakes of their predecessors?

From what we can clearly see here in the third chapter of the book of Revelation, it is quite obvious that their attitude towards God and His Word did not change. They thought and assumed that their mediocrity towards God and His Word would be sufficient to get them by. Why would anyone keep this kind of attitude? How could they continue in this pattern of living, after they had seen what happened to the previous generation? How often is your attitude the same as what these people had towards God and His Word?

Very different was the Church of Laodicea. Here was nothing to commend, though having in it a few suffering ones whom Christ loves and chastens. Its name (NOTE: [Laodikeia] (grk 2993), from [laos] (grk 2992), people, and [dikee] (grk 1349), judgment, or justice.) designates it as the Church of mob rule, the democratic Church, in which everything is swayed and decided by popular opinion, clamor and voting; and hence, a self-righteous and self-sufficient Church. It is described as thinking itself the perfection of churches. It said in its heart, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need in nothing" (<Rev 3:17>); but never was a body of people so woefully self-deluded. With all this boastfulness, the faithful and true Witness found nothing which He could abide, and pronounces them wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked, and about to be vomited up and cast out. (from Seiss' Apocalypse)

It is hard to comprehend how people can always see the Word and that which it has to say, as being for everyone else but themselves. One can look at that which the scriptures clearly depict, yet miss the warning signs that are given to and for them.

How often today, are churches or such ruled by a mob, or maybe popular opinion or that by which the majority rules, rather then to be governed and led by the Spirit of the living God? If someone is led by the Spirit, it is usually they that are tossed out as being disruptive, so that they will not affect their carnal attitudes and practices. If they are at best only on the milk of the Word, how can they ever be able to discern between good and evil? And if their leaders are only on the milk, what can be expected of the congregations? (Heb 5:13-14, 13 By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness. 14 Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults - that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. Weymouth's New Testament)

[The beginning of the creation of God] That is, the head and governor of all creatures; the king of the creation. See the note at <Col. 1:15>. By his titles, here, he prepares them for the humiliating and awful truths which he was about to declare, and the authority on which the declaration was founded.

[Thou art neither cold nor hot] Ye are neither pagans nor Christians neither good nor evil-- neither led away by false doctrine, nor thoroughly addicted to that which is true. In a word, they were listless and indifferent, and seemed to care little whether paganism or Christianity prevailed. Though they felt little zeal either for the salvation of their own souls or that of others, yet they had such a general conviction of the truth and importance of Christianity, that they could not readily give it up. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Isn’t this much of the same attitude that is still within the church today? Don’t the people think that they can use the pagan feasts and holidays as a way that they can draw others to come and fellowship with them, rather then sticking with the truth of God’s Word? How much mediocrity or leaven does it take to affect, effect or infect all of the lump?

[I am rich] Thou supposest thyself to be, in a safe state, perfectly sure of final salvation, because, thou hast begun well, and laid the right foundation. It was this most deceitful conviction that cut the nerves of their spiritual diligence; they rested in what they had already received, and seemed to think that once in grace must be still in grace. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Isn’t much of Christianity today based upon the material possessions which one has, rather then how much spiritual insight one has obtained into the spiritual truths of God’s Word? Yet the Word clearly tells us, that it is the Spirit of the risen Christ that quickens or gives life, and the flesh profits nothing! What part of that do we not understand?

[Thou art wretched] Most wretched. "The word signifies," according to Mintert, "being worn out and fatigued with grievous labours, as they who labour in a stone quarry, or are condemned to the mines." So, instead of being children of God, as they supposed, and infallible heirs of the kingdom, they were, in the sight of God, in the condition of the most abject slaves.

[And naked] Without the image of God, not clothed with holiness and purity. A more deplorable state in spiritual things can scarcely be imagined than that of this church. And it is the true picture of many churches, and of innumerable individuals. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

I find it very interesting how Adam Clarke would comment the way he did, on the church of his time; so what would he say if he saw the condition of the church today, some 260+ years later? As we can see from the early church and writings, that the church at Colossae or Laodicea did not give heed to the counsel of God given through the apostle Paul, but rather continued to do what they wanted. Does that sound familiar?

The image of God can only be restored by and through, Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Weymouth's New Testament, Colossians 3:10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who created it.) It is in Christ that one is able to become that new creation, for without Him, one can do nothing. One must continue in the truth, grounded and settled in the truth, and only then can they partake of that liberty which is in Christ Jesus.

Today are you traveling the road of mediocrity, or the strait and narrow path?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka