This is one of the most interesting phrases in VoV...
"May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence by my example!"
I'm struck by the word 'loiterers'.
I guess some would call them backsliders, some would call them 'carnal' Christians (that's another topic).
It makes me think of the signs in public places that read "No Loitering".
What if churches posted those signs i.e. "No Spiritual Loitering."
It wouldn't be 'welcoming', but it might make a point - we can't follow Christ by loitering.
This would really apply to professed believers who just hang around but don't intend to really engage i.e. they are loitering. This seems to be what Jesus is saying in Rev about being lukewarm.
The non-Christian who hangs around the church is fine and welcome, but it is no place for loitering.
If tickets for loitering were to be given out by some special agent angels in every church next Sunday, how many folks would be getting a ticket? Probably more per capita in the States than in most other countries of the world.
The VoV phrase itself helps give the opposite of loitering....diligence.
GRACE IS NOT OPPOSED TO DILIGENCE. In fact, it leads to it - Titus 2:11 ff
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