“I know your works,
that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
This is
one of scariest verses in the Bible regarding the Church of Laodicea.
“It is not the critic who
counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the
doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is
actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who
strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is
no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the
deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in
a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring
greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither
know victory nor defeat.”
TR
was never accused of being “lukewarm.” Jesus Christ was never accused of being
lukewarm either, but He did accuse others of it, including the Church of
Laodicea. That church many commentators say represents our current church. We
are miles wide and ankle deep. We don’t seek out or live the Scriptures
admonitions of living a life full of grace and seasoned with salt. The latter New Testament speaks often of
people falling away and doing what pleases them as false teachers increase.
Persecution of the church will increase and Jesus needs faithful believers.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says, “Be on your guard, stand firm in
the faith, be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love” (1
Corinthians 1613).
My
wife loves hot springs. In fact when ever we travel she is looking for the
nearest natural hot spring and there are many throughout the volcanic regions
of the country. These springs bubble up from deep in the earth full of minerals
that renew and heal. What a great metaphor for the gospel. It brings life to
the body and soul, eternal life to those who believe.
Throw
out your lukewarm coffee and righteousness and be renewed in the One who brings
life and life to the full.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.