Bible Briefs

J O H N   W.   M O O R E KNOWN FOR THEIR WATER Unless you’re talking about the “freshly squeezed cloud juice” company of Dripping Springs, our community is definitely not known for its drinking water. First time imbibers usually react with a quick spewing out of the malodorous sulfur water found in various household wells around the Hill Country. The Laodiceans of the Bible weren’t exactly known for their water, either. Unlike their neighboring cities of Hierapolis and Colossae, the inhabitants of Laodicea often had to rely on a water source some six miles away which was transported through stone pipes. By the time the water reached its destination, it was lukewarm and uninviting. On the other hand, both Hierapolis and Colossae were well known for their water supplies. The former was known for the medicinal value of its hot springs, and the latter for its refreshing cold springs. |When Jesus made His assessment of the various churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3, He equated the Laodicean Christians to their current water situation. In effect, they were providing neither refreshment for the spiritually thirsty, nor medicine for the spiritually sick. Like their water supply, they were lukewarm and totally unpalatable to the Lord. If only they had been hot like those of Hierapolis or cold like the Laodiceans, then there would have been cause for praise. Instead of seeing their wretched condition, they were blind to their own deficiencies. What about you and me? What are we known for? Are we by our actions seeking to heal or refresh others? Are we known for bettering our community, our school, or our family? Is the church known for upholding what is good and abhorring that which is wrong? Are leaders known for their integrity? Are you known for your faithfulness to God and the courage to speak out? Let none of us become distasteful to the Lord. Let none of us become lukewarm in our works for God.