07/25/2018 HOT, COLD AND LUKEWARM
Revelation 3:14, 15-16 To the Church in Laodicea…These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of GOD’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm---neither hot nor cold---I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
[New International Translation]
Summary
The book of Revelations was written to the seven churches in Asia: the church at Ephesus, the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum, the church in Thyatria, the church in Sardis, the church in Philadelphia, and the church in Laodicea. Revelation 3:14-16 is a message to the church in Laodicea.
Laodicea was a rich church---its members affluent. Some commentaries suggest that this church, with its riches might have been too comfortable or self-reliant, which may have explained their indifference and lack of zeal. As a result they received one of the sharpest criticisms of all the churches. They were neither burning with passion, fervent in spirit or “hot;” nor were they openly antagonistic and “cold.” They were just “lukewarm.”
This “hot, cold, lukewarm” analogy must have struck a chord with the Laodicea church, since they had experienced a problem with distasteful lukewarm water for years. The Laodiceans built aqueducts to bring the delicious cold water down from the mountains; however, by the time the water traveled through the mountains, it was lukewarm and sickening by the time it arrived at Laodicea.
The Laodiceans had no passion. They were “middle of the road,” people—or perhaps they just like standing on the sidelines---doing nothing. GOD’s message to the Laodiceans was to “be zealous” and “repent.” They were told to “turn from” their indifference and “become enthusiastic about the things of GOD.” See Rev. 3:19, Living Bible translation.
In contrast, one of the most striking examples of passion is the PASSION* of JESUS, who was so passionate in HIS love for humanity that HE, GOD who had all power in HIS hands, willingly allowed those hands to be nailed to a cross where they openly bled. Although HE committed no crimes, HIS passionate love was so great, HE allowed HIMSELF to be numbered among the criminals being crucified. HE willingly gave up HIS SPIRIT, just to save me, and you.