HOT OR COLD

I like soup when it is steaming hot and a fizzy drink when it is icy cold. I can’t stand either one lukewarm. Jesus has the same attitude towards us. He hates lukewarmness. When speaking to the half-hearted church of Laodicea, He said He wished they would be either cold or hot (REVELATION 3:15).

Some people understand the word “cold” here to mean rejection of Jesus and the gospel, while “hot” means a love for Him. But I don’t believe Jesus prefers people to reject Him outright. Instead, in His message to the church in Laodicea, Jesus may have had in mind two springs in the area—the hot mineral springs at Hierapolis and the pure cold water springs in Colosse.

The hot springs were soothing, especially to those who were ill or had aches in their bodies. The cold springs were refreshing to drink. The Christians in the church at Laodicea brought neither healing nor refreshment in how they lived. They were lukewarm and of no use to anyone.

You and I must ask ourselves these questions about what our lives with Jesus look like: do I offer refreshment to other Christians by giving them encouragement? Do I bring healing to others by praying for them, supporting them and offering them hope from the Bible?

We can’t help anybody if we are lukewarm. What does that show others about Jesus? If we are not that bothered by Him, why should they be? Jesus wants our relationship with Him to change how we live!

Thinking it over . . .

What is Jesus’ encouragement to the church at Laodicea (REVELATION 3:19)? What is the answer to half-heartedness (VV.19-20)? What would it look like for you to spend some time sitting and ‘eating’ with Jesus this week?