The Western Church is the Laodicean Church

Performative and Perfunctory

In Revelation, chapter 3, we see the Lord Jesus admonishing the church in Laodicea because of their condition.  The condition that they were in was one of being indifferent or lukewarm.

The church was neither hot or cold.  The Laodicean church thought they were good because they had wealth, prosperity, etc.  They didn’t need God.

When meditating on this passage of scripture, I began to realize that the Western Church is in the same state as the Laodicean Church. 

The Western Church is the Laodicean church.

When I say the Western Church, I mostly mean the church here in America.  The church in America has become very prosperous. It has attained wealth and influence. 

The church has enjoyed relative immunity from persecution and conflict.

Yet, in order to arrive at this state, the church has been performative and perfunctory.

Performative

The Bible expressly says in the last days there will be some who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.  There are some who are performing as believers in Christ, but yet lack the power of the Holy Spirit.

We see the performative actions of churches all throughout this land.  

When prominent evangelicals and conservatives conform and capitulate to the current culture, an astute observer must note that this did not happen instantaneously.

It was a gradual descent into the rejection of biblical values.  This was done all in the name of being accepted by the culture.  

These are what I like to call CINOs or Christians In Name Only. 

As Jesus once told the Pharisees, they are white washed tombs.  They appear godly on the outside, but on the inside they are decaying.

CINOs talk like Christians, walk like Christians, but their heart is far from God.  Their attitude and mentality is in lock step with the spirit of the age.  When pressed, they ooze carnality.

Perfunctory

The definition of perfunctory is: (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.

Most Christians in America are perfunctory.  Their service to God is done with a minimum of effort or reflection.

Only when the activity seems to benefit them will they exert any effort.  That’s why a large number of Christians refuse to vote.  They do not see the urgency or immediacy of the need.

Or to put it bluntly, they are not perceptive as to the downside of not voting.  They cannot see beyond their own situations and have a heart or compassion for others.

Instead of serving the Lord with gladness, it is done through complaining and murmuring.

When combined, performance and perfunctory limits the ability of God to operate on our behalf or on the behalf of our nation.

Instead of tripping over ourselves to see who is the most progressive or woke, we should bow our knees in repentance for our indifference.

Our lights are dimmed, but not out.  

The Father of lights wants to illuminate us to demonstrate His power on the Earth.