Revelation 3:14-22
Summer is just around the corner and along with it comes hot weather. If you are outside on a hot day a cool drink of water is refreshing, just like a hot coffee is soothing on a cold winter day. We desire the beverage that is opposite the temperature that we experience in order to be refreshed. However, if the coffee is barely warm or the water is slightly hot we will dump it out and get something that is truly refreshing. That is the response that Jesus had to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Often we may read verse 16 as being hot in our spiritual relationship with Jesus as a good thing and being cold as a bad thing. Notice that Revelation 3:16 says… “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Jesus is not condemning either temperature of hot or cold in the illustration, but rather the compromise of being spiritually lukewarm. He challenges the church to redefine what they view as valuable (18), and calls them to turn from their independence (19). The church of Laodicea had pushed Christ out of their life. Now Jesus describes Himself as being outside and knocking to come in and renew fellowship with them (20). Like this church we need to accept Christ’s analysis of our life because He is faithful and true (14), and respond to His invitation to renewed fellowship. Christ desires for us to imitate Him in pure righteousness not compromising lukewarmness. Our passion should be one that invests in what holds spiritual and eternal value not what is temporary and worldly. If we choose to be spiritually lukewarm we choose a spiritual life that is not so hot. May that not be true of us. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get a glass of cold water.
For more see REVELATION
Summer is just around the corner and along with it comes hot weather. If you are outside on a hot day a cool drink of water is refreshing, just like a hot coffee is soothing on a cold winter day. We desire the beverage that is opposite the temperature that we experience in order to be refreshed. However, if the coffee is barely warm or the water is slightly hot we will dump it out and get something that is truly refreshing. That is the response that Jesus had to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Often we may read verse 16 as being hot in our spiritual relationship with Jesus as a good thing and being cold as a bad thing. Notice that Revelation 3:16 says… “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Jesus is not condemning either temperature of hot or cold in the illustration, but rather the compromise of being spiritually lukewarm. He challenges the church to redefine what they view as valuable (18), and calls them to turn from their independence (19). The church of Laodicea had pushed Christ out of their life. Now Jesus describes Himself as being outside and knocking to come in and renew fellowship with them (20). Like this church we need to accept Christ’s analysis of our life because He is faithful and true (14), and respond to His invitation to renewed fellowship. Christ desires for us to imitate Him in pure righteousness not compromising lukewarmness. Our passion should be one that invests in what holds spiritual and eternal value not what is temporary and worldly. If we choose to be spiritually lukewarm we choose a spiritual life that is not so hot. May that not be true of us. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get a glass of cold water.
For more see REVELATION
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