Lukewarm
By Susan Klein
“So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold - - I am about to spit
you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:16 (NIV)
I love that first cup
of freshly brewed hot coffee in the morning, especially on a cold winter day.
There is just something so soothing about that steaming bliss running down my
throat on its way to warming my whole inner being. But, as often happens, I set
the cup down while I tend to a task or two, and when I come back for another
swig, it’s lukewarm. Ugh! So disappointing. I run to make it hot again.
“Lukewarm” just
tends to carry a negative connotation. No one desires to take a lukewarm
shower, or orders a lukewarm soft drink at a restaurant. Hot or cold are much
more desirable. And this is the message God tries to get across to the church
in Laodicea via His servant, John.
As John was
delivering the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ to the churches in Asia
Minor, he was banished to the island of Patmos by some who scorned the message
he was preaching. While there, God gave him a prophetic vision, which contained
messages for the seven area churches. To one church, God says, “I know your
deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the
other!” In essence, He is saying, “If you are hot, you are on fire for me, and
are living to bring glory and honor to me. If you are cold, you have not yet
been ignited with the flame of my Holy Spirit, and are still reachable. But, if
you are lukewarm, you have heard the Truth, and have chosen complacency.” In
the above verse, he uses the analogy of “spitting them out of His mouth,” like
we might spit out that lukewarm mouthful of coffee.
This verse has always
touched my heart in a deep way. The thought of God spitting me out is a very
alarming word picture in my mind. At times, in my own faith journey, I feel I
have come close to succumbing to complacency, not wanting to persevere on the
course set before me. But, that picture of Him spitting me out quickly draws my
focus back to the good works He prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians
2:10).
May we never tire of
doing what is good and right in the eyes of God, that He might savor us on His
tongue!
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Have you checked your spiritual
thermometer recently?
2. Enlist
the power of the Holy Spirit to re-ignite your flame.
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and
has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and
tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood and also co-leads a Sunday morning Community Bible Experience book
club/small group.
