HOT, COLD, LUKEWARM????

Revelation 3:15-17 – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.  16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” NASU

 

 

I am passionate about whatever I commit to and that most assuredly includes my faith.  I have experienced the anticipation of a hot cup of coffee only to find that it was tepid and my natural inclination was to spit it out if possible.  I have had the experience of anticipating a cold only to find it lukewarm. The experience was not desirable and when I read these words of our Lord regarding the church of Laodicea they resonated with me.

I understand that one can become such a zealot that they become obnoxious but indifference in matters of faith is not something I consider commendable.  I am passionate about my faith, family, freedom, and friends.  I can think of few times when I felt indifference regarding any of those four.  I have been indifferent about what type of food to seek when going out to eat with family or friends but not about my faith.

I recall the old story of a soldier in one of the world wars asking his chaplain, “Do you believe in hell?”  The chaplain reportedly was stunned and emphatically declared, “Of course!”  The soldier responded saying, “No you do not for if I believed in hell though Europe were covered with broken glass I’d crawl on my hands and knees to warn everyone to flee the wrath to come.  You sir are telling no one therefore I do not think you believe in hell.”  Jesus said if we were ashamed of Him in this present world He would be ashamed of us before the Father.

I am not suggesting that you have to carry a large Bible and button-hole everyone you meet trying to arm twist them into accepting Jesus but I do hope you are passionate enough about your faith that you readily declare Him when opportunity presents itself.  I have often said that I am completely comfortable speaking to a crowd that is enthusiastically for or against me but one that is apathetic is distasteful.  If you are with me it inspires me and if you are against me it inspires and challenges me but if you are indifferent it leaves me with the sensation that John described in the above passage.

I cannot imagine standing before God and answering for my indifference when so much is at stake for the human family.  If I fail to warn the wicked of his wickedness I have erred as much as if I had failed to sound the alarm in a burning building.  If anything is remembered about me when I depart this life I want people to remember I was passionate and committed not lukewarm.

I pray that God stir up the embers of faith inside each heart and elevate your passion to white hot regarding your faith.  Blessings as you go through your day!