Hot or Cold?

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:“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.”Revelation 3:14-16As the Apostle John writes to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, one of the letters is addressed to the church in Laodicea meaning “lukewarm and indifferent, especially in religious matters”.Receiving letters usually makes us feel loved however not when the letter delivers less than desirable news and that is exactly what is written to the church at Laodicea. In it John writes that they have become complacent accepting whatever comes as long as it doesn’t effect them. In other words they had become complacent and the danger with complacency is that it can leave you stagnant settling for less than God’s best and what He wants from us. The church at Laodicea is being admonished at being neither hot nor cold.Our world is filled with individuals who are lukewarm and not just the world but in the church. They say they are Christians but see no need for corporate worship. They may stick their toe in developing their faith or a relationship with Christ but as far as being all in their conduct says otherwise. Lukewarm people have an apathy towards sin and as long as they are not directly impacted by it they look the other way. They’re easy to spot because they don’t hide their indifference. Lest we find ourselves becoming overly judgmental we need only look at ourselves to determine what kind of people we are. God is saying I’d rather you be hot or cold.Complacency has no place for people of faith. As Christians we have liberty but we also have a responsibility to share the word of God, to follow Him and to turn from sin and anything that goes against His will. In your home, on your job, in your encounters with others, whether people are looking or not everything you do, do it to glorify God!I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:23-24,31b