Being Lukewarm for Jesus Isn't Particularly Useful

Have you ever heard the words Jesus said to a church in Laodicea?

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" Revelation 3:15a

Harsh! The church in Laodicea was lukewarm in their love for the Lord. The evidence was in their deeds — the complacency in their work to bring about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus rejected this lukewarm affection in the strongest possible terms.

"So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15b-16

 This passage is a heart check for me. The word, "lukewarm" suggests they fluctuated between fervent love and indifference of affection and back again. Hot water and cold water poured together, creating a lukewarm heart for God:

  •  Almost like a great Worship service where one experiences the greatness and power of God’s love mixed with a couple hours of news sharing the chaos and brokenness of our world.  

  • Or an amazing time of community with believers doing life together mixed with an addictive storyline on TV soaked in gratuitous sex, strife and violence.  

  • Or worship videos and God’s Word powerfully preached mixed with endless hours of banal video surfing with meaningless entertainment that shallows the soul and numbs the imagination. 

From Lukewarm to Jesus First

Jesus offers an antidote to this fluctuating love for God when He says, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:18

 Simply put, put Jesus first! Spend time with Him in His Word filling your heart with truth and hope. Spend time with His people serving, loving and worshiping together so that your heart overflows with love and wonder.

 Experiencing Jesus like this changes everything!

~Pastor Chuck

Pastor Chuck