In Revelations 3:14-21, we have the Lord’s letter to the church of Laodicea. In that letter, Jesus makes a severe charge against the church. He says in verses 14-15, “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.”
In Revelations 3:14-21, we have the Lord’s letter to the church of Laodicea. In that letter, Jesus makes a severe charge against the church. He says in verses 14-15, “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.”
In case you missed it – the charge is – the sin of being lukewarm. The sad truth today is this is an accurate description of the present day church in America. And, what makes this even worse is that the church today thinks because we are not bad “cold” then we are good “hot”.
But the truth is this is the sin that makes our Lord sick. It is so offensive that it makes Him want to – literally translated – “throw up”. If this is so bad, we must raise the question, what is this sin of being lukewarm. Let me share with you some things to look for in your life.
One is the loss of excitement and thrill for the things of God. This is when you become more excited about the things of the world than about God. It is when you no longer are excited about studying your Bible and talking to God on a regular basis. How can we be excited about what God is doing when we spend so little time doing the two essential things that brings us close to God?
Two is to be unrepentant toward sin. This is when you have unconfessed and unforsaken sin in your life. The truth today is that more people who claim to be Christians are embracing and enjoying known sin. Sadly, the Church of America is embracing this.
Three is to have an unforgiving heart toward your fellowman. The Bible has much to say about being right with your brother. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that if you come offer a sacrifice (come to church to worship) and you know that your brother (anyone) has something against you, before you worship you must go and be made right with that person. What a revival would take place in our country when Christians would, honestly and sincerely forgive.
Four is the unconcern about people being saved. I mean genuinely saved. We have lost our focus and purpose today. We are more concerned about how to run programs and draw numbers that make the church look good than about people’s heart and relationship with God.
Fifth is to be satisfied with where you are at with God. We fight against three enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. These three are constantly telling us to be satisfied with something less than what God wants.
This raises the question of how do you overcome this grievous sin that repulses the Lord to want to “…spit you out…”?
One, you must confess your sins followed by all out repentance. This is where it begins, and it must be sincere and from the heart.
Two, you have to then move to your fellowman and make every attempt to be made right with them.
Three, you have to make a complete commitment to make Christ number one in your life and then have an undenied determination to serve Him with all your heart.
So, the question for you to consider is “Am I hot, cold or just lukewarm toward God?”