Neither Hot or Cold

 

By Darren Hester - Openphoto.net, CC BY-SA 2.5

I just ran across my notes from August 7, 2022 worship service. The first reference was Revelation 3:15-16. According to John, author of Revelation, Jesus spoke these words:

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV)

On BibleGateway, you’ll find the same verses slightly different, with notes:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are [a] neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were [b] cold or hot.

16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. (Amplified Bible)

a.  This phrase and the word lukewarm in v 16 form a metaphor that is probably based on the quality of the water supply of Laodicea, which was delivered by aqueduct from the hot mineral springs about five miles away. During its journey, the water cooled to a warm or lukewarm temperature.

b. I.e. alive, productive—beneficial in one way or the other.

To me, those who were “hot” – or invigorating or refreshing, as AMP uses, or could be described as actively involved in the education and goals Jesus laid out for us. I’ve heard some described as “on fire for the Lord!”

Those hot are the least in need of God’s intention. They are doing what Jesus laid out for us to do and obviously seeking to learn more of God’s good news for mankind.

Those cold are the most in need. Those have no relationship with God and actually may be church members for personal or secular reasons.  They may be reached by those who are actively reaching out with God’s Word.

But – then there are the lukewarm, spiritually useless, unfit for service, and most likely feeling sure that they have fulfilled the requirement of John 3:16 and are quite safe for eternal life in heaven. I believe that is possible that they are safe, but they are unfulfilled by not understanding God has use of everyone who believes.

First and foremost is loving God. When you love someone you should want to know about them. What pleases them? What causes them joy, pain, and anger. The Bible describes each of those qualities for God. Where do you stand with Him? Do you bring Him joy, pain, or anger. How can you change that? The Bible has the answer in examples.

Second in importance – and actually covers the rest of His Commandments and the reality of prophecies – is loving our neighbors as ourselves. Always a problem when we don’t love ourselves, when we don’t understand that God accepts us as we are while He is able to change our lives. Once we understand that, we can be of service to help others as we follow His will in our lives.

Best part is finding beautiful verses that explain why God enjoys our company:

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)