The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-8, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 36." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.
Question
My question [is] on Revelation 3:16, where it talks about the Lord spewing you out of his mouth if your works are neither hot nor cold. I’m wondering how that relates to “once being saved, always being saved”?
Answer
Well, first of all, you have to understand that he’s writing to a church, "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: I know your deeds, you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” What he is talking about here is not a Christian losing his salvation, but a church losing its witness. He’s talking about a church losing its impact, losing its identity--and it did. And if a church doesn’t take a strong stand, it’ll lose its power, it’ll lose its presence, it’ll lose its place in the community--that’s the issue.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
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