HOT, COLD, LUKEWARM?
Understanding the message TO US through LAODICEA
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are LUKEWARM, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”
-Revelation 3:15-16
What does it mean to be hot or cold? And why is it that being lukewarm the worst?
Let’s look at the first question: What does it mean to be hot or cold?
This is part is simple; to be hot is to be for God, abiding in Him. To be cold is to be against God, apart from His will.
When Bishop Myers, that I worked with at the Post Office and would later become my mentor, first asked me to speak at his youth program (I didn’t know would ignite my ministry…pun intended) the theme was - Youth On Fire For Christ. For me, it was always common knowledge that fire is referring to some connection to God.
At Pentecost (in Acts) the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as “a fire.”
In Egypt (Exodus 3) the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses by the “burning bush.”
From burning sacrifices throughout the OLD TESTAMENT, to kindling and to not quench the Holy Spirt in the NEW TESTAMENT, Fire is mostly connected to God.
On the other hand, cold isn’t referenced as much. But the one time it is mentioned is grand on it’s own.
Matthew 24:11-12 - Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow COLD.
This leads into a difficult question for many of us- why would God RATHER us be cold?
Doesn’t God want all of us to turn to Him? (Of course)
Is He planning on some of us to just be an enemy? (Nope)
He’s warning them that they are in the middle.
Revelation 3:17 - Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Like the church in Sardis, Laodicea believes they are in the right; but in reality, they are far from Him. They believe they are rich in the Lord, but Christ tells them they are poor. Now God isn’t addressing material wealth, but the nature of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
