Are you hot, cold or lukewarm? Physically speaking, I’m usually cold. Spiritually speaking, I desire to be hot for God!
As Jesus addressed the seventh church, He rebuked
them for being lukewarm.
Revelation 3:14-22 14 “To the
angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are
the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the
other! 16 So, because
you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a
thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind
and naked. 18 I counsel
you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white
clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so
you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with
me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his
throne. 22 Whoever has
ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus rebuked the Laodicean’s for their prideful
reliance on their own material wealth. Jesus seemed to be telling the
Laodicean’s that their spiritual depravity was significant. Maybe they thought
God was pleased with them because of their material blessings and lack of
troubles, but Jesus made it clear that was not the case.
I love how Jesus said he was “about to spit” them
out. He is so loving and patient, that He gave them a warning. Out of love for
them, He called them to repent and return to Him. Then, He would provide what
they really needed – fellowship with Him.
What would Jesus say to you and me? Where do you and
I think we have it together or are in control of our life? (Kent talked about
control yesterday!) What would God say we really need from Him? Would He call
us hot, cold or lukewarm? As we submit to Jesus’s control, He will provide what’s
needed to change our temperature!
