Bible Facts Blog Number 21
Why Being Luke Warm For Christ Is NOT COOL!
Why Being Luke Warm For Christ Is NOT COOL!
Most Christians know of Jesus’ words, recorded by John in the book of Revelation …
Revelation 3:15-16
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Many Christians interpret this verse to mean that one can be hot or cold for Christ and see the states of hot and cold as opposites. These Christians interpret “hot” for Christ as a good state … being on fire for the Lord. And they interpret “cold” as being the opposite … not believing in Christ Jesus. And the meaning of “lukewarm” … being a middle-of-the-road Christian who is satisfied with a half-hearted faith.
But would Jesus truly express through John that He would prefer Christians to be “cold”? One look at 2 Peter 3:9 makes it clear that Christ Jesus wants ALL to come to repentance and wants NONE to be “COLD” … to perish because of sin.
Another – More Contextual – Look At Revelation 3:15-16.
John the Apostle put these words down for a church in the city of Laodicea. Simply, Leodicea did not have its own water supply. One city north of Laodicea, named Hierapolis, was known for its health-inducing hot springs. A city southeast of Leodicea, named Colossae, was well known for its cold, refreshing, wonderful-tasting water.
Laodicia had to receive water from Colossae. And by the time the water traveled to Laodicia via aqueducts, it was lukewarm and unpleasant. So, Laodicia’s water was good for nothing. Not good for bathing like the water of Hierapolis or drinking, like the water of Colossae. Laodicia’s water simply wasn’t USEFUL.
So, one can look at this verse and say its message is to be useful in the establishing of God’s plan. We must put our gifts to work for God’s pleasure.
The Good, The Bad And The Sad
How do we want to live our lives as Christians? Do we want to be hot or cold … useful and doing God’s work? Or would we prefer to lukewarm, unable to help God, therefore being good for nothing except being spit out by Him?
2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.
The answer is clear … as clear as cold, clean water. As Christlike servants of God, we wish to be useful … to do God’s work … not just because it will give us pleasure, but because it will please God as well!
