The Christian Online Magazine -
revlanc@bellsouth.net
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:16 The Message
One morning, I went to the sink, filled my cup with water, and quickly took a big gulp. I was very thirsty and longing for relief, so imagine my surprise when lukewarm water crossed my palate. My first reaction was to immediately spit it back out, and at that very moment, the Holy Spirit, Our Teacher, brought Revelation 3:16 to mind. He came alongside me and gave me an object lesson of sorts.
In His Word, God says that He would rather have us be cold or hot than to be lukewarm. Why would God prefer cold to lukewarm? Warm water really is not good for much, is it? You cannot cook with it, or clean with it, nor is it very tasty. My cup was full of lukewarm water because I had not spent enough time at the sink to let it get cold, or hot for that matter. Because I was in a hurry and wanted my thirst to be instantly satisfied, I did not check the temperature. Unfortunately, I ended up with an empty cup and a bad taste in my mouth.
Cold water has a variety of uses. When used to launder clothes, it protects colors against running. Cold water can be run over steaming hot food to cool it down, and it is an excellent way to satisfy thirst. Though I do not believe that God is happy with us when we become cold towards Him or what concerns Him, at least when we are cold it is obvious where we stand. One good thing about something cold is that in the hands of the right Person, the temperature can change and it holds the possibility of becoming hot.
Hot water is useful as well. It washes away dirt and grime, sanitizes, and is often used in the preparation of food. Something hot can be cooled down just a bit and still remain hot enough to be of use. It takes a period of time for something hot to become cold. It is possible for the change to occur, but it does not happen immediately…it happens in stages.
Have you ever felt cold towards the things of God? That too, is a very terrible situation in which to be. But knowing and admitting where we are gives God the opportunity to “heat” us up. At times He will use trials and tribulations, or He may speak strongly through His Word or His servants. Cold does not mean hopeless…it means in need of heat. Our God is a Consuming Fire!! He can fire us up like no other, but we must first admit that we are cold.
So it is in the Christian walk. If we will stay at the “spigot” long enough, we will be filled with a fire that will cause Jesus to be radiated from us wherever we go. Being “on fire” is something I believe that we all desire but getting to that place means a sacrifice of time. We must spend time with The Source to be “hot” concerning the things of God. In the heat, we will be washed of our sins and shortcomings and we will be sanitized so that The Holy Ghost can reign freely in our lives.
We must be careful to maintain our relationship with God, or in time we will find ourselves lukewarm. If we are not going forward, then we are going backwards. When we become lukewarm, we have that “blah” feeling; it is a feeling I have known and one that I absolutely despise. Obviously, Revelation 3:16 bears out the fact that God feels even worse about it than I do. We are of no use when we are in this condition—we literally make Jehovah God sick. Oh, how that pulls at my heart.
What temperature do you find yourself today? Are you cold toward the things of God? Are you fired up and radiant with the heat of His Spirit richly dwelling in you? Or…are you lukewarm with a severe case of the “blahs?” If God was to give the sign that it is time for the Son of God to come, what would happen to you? Would He find you cold or hot…or something He would He spew?
©2003 Rev. Melinda Lancaster. All Rights Reserved.
