So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16
The original word for this was the Greek word -->“vomit." That’s not a pleasant sight of God wanting to throw someone up. Why would God throw up Christians? So what does this say about lukewarm Christians? Are they really Christians?
There's hot chocolate or cold chocolate milk. Both of those are really good but if I sip a taste of just warm milk, that’s disgusting! We have to care about what makes Jesus sick to His stomach. Where is the passion, urgency, enthusiasm for Him?
Some people are uncomfortable with this verse. Why are Jesus’ words so strong? Why does he say it so harshly? The answer is in in verse 19 where it says “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.”
The interesting thing about the history behind this verse is the water supply for the city of Laodicea came from hot springs some distance away. It lacked a local, adequate, convenient water supply. So the water was transported from hot springs 6 miles to the south through a system of stone pipes. Another city, Colossi had snow capped mountains that melted into colds streams of water. It provided refreshment. But Laodicea’s water was neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. So it was pretty useless. The water arrived at the city lukewarm.
In Francis's Chan book Crazy Love. A good point he made was that:
“Lukewarm people don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly sorry for it."
"Lukewarm people are moved by stories of people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people say that their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him all their heart, soul, and strength. Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Matthew 23:25-28, Luke 14:34-35".
- Do you choose what's popular over what's right?
- Do you seek after wordly things or the kingdom of God?
- Are you indifferent about sin?
What is the cure for lukewarmness? The answer is Jesus! Make Him the king of your life and your heart’s desire (Revelation 3:20) So, Jesus wants us to serve him whole heartedly. We have to make up our minds. Will we serve Jesus wholeheartedly, or will we not serve him at all? If you are cold, then Jesus and others will at least know where you stand. If you are hot, then Jesus and others around you should know that you are whole heartedly a servant to Christ.
One of the reasons why the luke-warm are rejected is because they say one thing, but their actions say another. I can’t wholeheartedly serve God if I'm constantly doing evil. If I say that I am a Christian and people see me constantly sinning, then what am I saying? By being hypocritical, I am deceiving the not only myself but non believers and new believers. I am showing them that a Christian can constantly do evil and still serve God. I am showing them that they can have the best of both worlds. Even worse, I could be turning people away from Christianity all together. People could think wow, that girl says she is a Christian but she is always gossiping about others, so I don’t want to be a Christian now.You can't say you love Jesus and deny Him with your lifestyle.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other... "Matthew 6:24
When we accept Christ we have to be willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19) we must either give it all or nothing. There is no lukewarm Christian. There is no middle ground. Or any gray area. Because we have to realize halfway in isn't in at all. Our lives have been changed by His awesome love & God calls for a radical obedience to His will and a surrendering of our lives into the glorious riches of His grace!
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