"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." Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)
A revelation on Revelation...This will probably be one of several blog posts you will see from me in the coming weeks on the Book of Revelation. Currently, I am doing the Beth Moore study - Here and Now...There and Then and I am really enjoying it. That is...as much as one can enjoy any study on Revelation!
This book is important to me for a couple of reasons.
First, I have always been fascinated with end times events or eschatology. Now, let me pause a moment to make a disclaimer: IN NO WAY WILL I ATTEMPT TO PREDICT END TIMES EVENTS, but I do get excited about studying prophecy found in God's Word about events yet to take place. Mainly, because when I study them, it motivates me to DO more, to SHARE more, to LOVE more, and to PRAY more!
Second, this is the book that stirred my soul to a point of urgency during the summer of 1999, while participating in a Wednesday evening study with a very special interim pastor. It was time to make a decision to settle any doubts I had about my own salvation. Although I had believed in Jesus as far back as I could remember, I confessed and repented of my sins and obediently followed in a sweet baptism on a beautiful Sunday morning in June.
Salt and light, the words that dear pastor spoke as he sprinkled salt from a shaker into my hands and gently led me back into the warm water. To be the salt of the earth and light of the world that Jesus described in Matthew 5:13-16.
In the Book of Revelation, John, the beloved disciple, now an old man in exile on the island of Patmos, receives a vision and instructions for writing 7 letters to 7 churches - letters from God, so to speak. The church in Laodicea is the last of the 7 churches, in which he addresses, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or not. 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." Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)
It is important to mention that not only was Laodicea an actual church back in the day, but it is representative of the last church age, which many believe we are experiencing today. But on a more personal note, it is also meant to be individually applied.
As children of God, we are to be different and stand out in this bland, dark world. Not to merely blend in with the culture...and certainly not to be "holier than thou" self-righteous Christians that turn others away. But rather to live our life and love people in a way that points others to Christ. According to one Bible commentary, "they had one foot in the church and one foot in the world and were, therefore, ineffective believers." (The Easy-To-Read Commentary Series)
As I reflect on this Revelation passage, I remember hearing a sermon several years ago by our pastor at the time, the late Dr. Mark Corts, that has always stuck with me. A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of iced tea is refreshing...but has you ever picked up your coffee cup and taken in a big mouthful of coffee only to find with dismay that it had become lukewarm? Yuck!
Do you not want to spit it out of your mouth as quickly as possible? And if for some reason I should feel the need to force it down, it literally provokes in me a chilly, spastic type of reaction, as I cannot wait to get the disgusting taste out of my mouth!
On the other hand, there are few things that satisfy and provide as much stimulation and enjoyment as a fresh, steaming hot cup of bold coffee each morning. How I look forward to that first cup as soon as my feet touch the cold hardwoods!
I don't want to simply go through the motions of my Christian life with a love for Jesus and for others that is merely lukewarm. How repulsive this must be to God!
I don't want to lose my saltiness...I don't want my light to become dim or faint in this dark world.
I want to be piping hot, on fire for the Lord! Living my life with the purpose God intended for me, so that I'm ready when Revelation is fulfilled.
So where is the comfort you might ask? The comfort is in the promise..."To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on the throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." Revelation 3:21 (NIV)
I want to be an overcomer! What about you?
Lord, make me like a hot cup of coffee...Forgive me when I have missed opportunities to represent You and weakly blended into the world instead. Help me to be filled each morning not only with my favorite K-cup, but with Your indwelling Holy Spirit. May I be as excited and stimulated as I drink in Your Word while I sip on my coffee. And may I not be ashamed in the way I share Christ...to be bold for You in a culture of political correctness and diversity in which the Bible is often unpopular and even mocked...may I be bolder than my favorite blend.
(c) Christy Long. All Rights Reserved.
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