Day 44
Lukewarm
Revelation 3:14–15 (NKJV) “And
to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the
Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I
know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold
or hot.
Revelation 3:16–17 (NKJV) So
then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out
of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, and naked…
Located in Asia Minor, the city of
Laodicea, the richest of the seven churches, was known for its banking
industry, wool manufacturing, and eye salve. Members of the church had acquired
wealth and fallen into the deception of riches. Becoming self-sufficient the
church lost its enthusiasm or love for Christ.
Jesus’ words of knowing they were
neither hot or cold but lukewarm toward him, reminds me of a young man pursuing
a young woman’s heart and wishing she was either hot or cold toward him.
The best situation for a young man
pursuing a young lady is when she enthusiastically (hot) welcomes his telephone
call and readily accepts an invitation to dinner or a movie.
The worst situation for the young man
is when the young lady is lukewarm toward him. When he calls and invites her
out, she becomes indecisive and hesitant. She says she doesn’t know what she
wants to do yet and asks the young man if he would call again later in the week
when she will be able to make up her mind. This young lady is waiting for a
better offer, she is lukewarm toward the young man, which leaves him in a state
of not knowing if he should pursue her or not.
The second-best situation results when
the young lady is unemotional or unfriendly toward the young man when he calls
upon her. This coldness challenges the
young man to try to win her closer to him or stop wasting his time pursuing her
(spew her out of his mouth) and move on with his life.
And so, it is with Christ, He wants us
hot or cold but not lukewarm.
Ending Thoughts
We live in a world of multiple
distractions that can dull our enthusiasm toward Christ. Is Christ at center of
your life or have the cares and distractions of life taken his place?
