Lukewarm "Christianity"?

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:14-22)

I've been writing a paper on this passage and it has bothered me that I can't decide if the church at Laodicea is actually a group of born-again Christians. There is evidence to take either side in the debate. Regardless, the message is scary. The point is that almost every description used of this church is used elsewhere in the New Testament to describe us before God saved us. What scares me even more is that so many people today see themselves or their church in this message rather than any of the other six churches of Revelation 2-3.

It seems to me that the evidence of whether or not these people were truly believers would be in their response to this letter. If they repent it would be evidence of God's persevering grace in their lives. However if they did not repent it would reveal their hardness of heart all along.

If you see yourself in this passage what is the application? Repent. Open the door. It's too hard you say? Cry out to God that He will enable you to open it.

Later,

Stephen