Revelation 3:15-16
Jesus wants me to do something! The worst temptations are the temptations to be lukewarm. Those are the ways in which Jesus’ name is buried in lackluster performance. I used to think that the way this message should be understood was in an absolute sense of cold or hot. In other words, we grow cold, that is bad. We are hot – we are on fire for the Lord! But that does not seem to be the point of Jesus’ words.
Cold beverages are refreshing. An ice cold cup of water on a hot day is the best refresher. Or for a treat, how about a glass of iced tea, or a icey Coca-Cola? That is refreshing and a joy to the palate at the same time. And hot drinks have their place. In fact, as I work away at this meditation, I am sipping on a hot cup of coffee and it helps the thoughts flow. Both hot and cold are what we want in a beverage. Both are acceptable.
But a lukewarm cup of java? Eeeewwww! Or a room temperature glass of water? Barely able to swallow it. Jesus won’t even try when that is the spiritual condition of His people. We give Him the gag reflex! That is why He spits us out when we are lukewarm. I don’t think the message has anything to do with our eternal standing. It has to do with His opinion of us. And we are just a big spit take if we aren’t going somewhere with our faith. Our works should refresh or invigorate the body of Christ. It is that simple.
Lord,
I have the capacity for cold or hot today. But save me from mediocre lukewarm stagnation! I don’t want to be sitting at room temperature with my faith. Amen.
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