What a man looks like don’t matter much. What matters is how he makes you feel when he’s around.”
–Robert Peecher (The Glorieta Grudge)
“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, so that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.”
“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, so that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.”
–Isaiah 50:4 (NASB)
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My wife, Annie, has started a study on Revelation. She brought to my attention some thoughts regarding the church at Laodicea. Now, I’ve heard numerous sermons preached about this church. It was a favorite topic in past years of evangelists/revivalists. Hmm, come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard a sermon on this particular topic.
In her study she referred to a statement by Frank M. Boyd that gives a slightly different slant to what is normally heard. Let’s look at a few verses:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
–Revelation 3:15-16(NKJV)
According to Boyd, “The words ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ here are related to the element water. A ‘hot’ drink on a cold day revives the sluggish circulation and restores warmth. A ‘cold’ drink on a warm day refreshes and cools. Both produce desirable effects. Consequently the inference from Christ’s words is not that He would rather see in them cold lifelessness, if they were lukewarm. Both the condition represented by ‘cold’ (refreshment) and the condition represented by ‘hot’ (boiling activity, fervor) could be desires, but ‘lukewarmness’ is intolerable, for it nauseates and can only be ‘spewed out.'”
I have heard many preach that Jesus meant that it was better to be “cold,” in sin, in the ways of the world than lukewarm. This is contrary to the Scripture, and is also contrary to the character of Christ. “Cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for medical purposes. Lukewarm is neither.” (NKJV Study Bible) I remember the times when after a tiresome, dusty practice on a hot day, Mike Montgomery and I would stop at the A&W and each of us would buy a quart of cold root beer. Cold–refreshing.
Contrary to that idea, I have been out in the woods on many a cold day, either working, camping, or hunting, and upon coming to camp I wanted something to warm my hands and warm my inner parts. Hot coffee (or tea) on a day where you are cold to the bone does wonders. It’s like I have written many times about the blah, room temperature coffee. It makes a person want to spew it out.
In regard to being lukewarm there is an implication that it was once hot. Boyd says that “Their lukewarmness indicated retrogression, for they must once have been fervent in ardor and love, since to be tepid indicates previous hotness.” Perhaps, it is that “His gifts have been despised; His favor rejected; His Spirit grieved.” Paul urges us to “stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV) Other versions translate it, “fan into flames the gift” or “keep ablaze the gift.” Don’t let the gift become lukewarm, a campfire that you can lay your hand upon and feel only warmth from the previous fire is no good.
Our flame should be burning brightly, it is not to go out, or grow cold through disuse. To let the flame go out, or the water to become tepid will most definitely grieve the Holy Spirit. We are to use the “gifts” we have been given to further the Kingdom of God. Notice a warning by Paul, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) The Holy Spirit is the fire of God that burns within us–we are not to let our lives become lukewarm.
We work with the Holy Spirit to be either hot or cold depending on what is needed at the moment. We have a part to play in keeping our lives hot, or to be there to give a cold refreshing drink. We must be in the Word so that the Holy Spirit can work through us the way He wants. To be lukewarm means to be self-centered, not God-centered. To be half-hearted in our efforts and to be self-satisfied. The lukewarm person is a person who is self-deluded and is sickening to the Lord.
————————————–
My wife, Annie, has started a study on Revelation. She brought to my attention some thoughts regarding the church at Laodicea. Now, I’ve heard numerous sermons preached about this church. It was a favorite topic in past years of evangelists/revivalists. Hmm, come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard a sermon on this particular topic.
In her study she referred to a statement by Frank M. Boyd that gives a slightly different slant to what is normally heard. Let’s look at a few verses:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
–Revelation 3:15-16(NKJV)
According to Boyd, “The words ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ here are related to the element water. A ‘hot’ drink on a cold day revives the sluggish circulation and restores warmth. A ‘cold’ drink on a warm day refreshes and cools. Both produce desirable effects. Consequently the inference from Christ’s words is not that He would rather see in them cold lifelessness, if they were lukewarm. Both the condition represented by ‘cold’ (refreshment) and the condition represented by ‘hot’ (boiling activity, fervor) could be desires, but ‘lukewarmness’ is intolerable, for it nauseates and can only be ‘spewed out.'”
I have heard many preach that Jesus meant that it was better to be “cold,” in sin, in the ways of the world than lukewarm. This is contrary to the Scripture, and is also contrary to the character of Christ. “Cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for medical purposes. Lukewarm is neither.” (NKJV Study Bible) I remember the times when after a tiresome, dusty practice on a hot day, Mike Montgomery and I would stop at the A&W and each of us would buy a quart of cold root beer. Cold–refreshing.
Contrary to that idea, I have been out in the woods on many a cold day, either working, camping, or hunting, and upon coming to camp I wanted something to warm my hands and warm my inner parts. Hot coffee (or tea) on a day where you are cold to the bone does wonders. It’s like I have written many times about the blah, room temperature coffee. It makes a person want to spew it out.
In regard to being lukewarm there is an implication that it was once hot. Boyd says that “Their lukewarmness indicated retrogression, for they must once have been fervent in ardor and love, since to be tepid indicates previous hotness.” Perhaps, it is that “His gifts have been despised; His favor rejected; His Spirit grieved.” Paul urges us to “stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV) Other versions translate it, “fan into flames the gift” or “keep ablaze the gift.” Don’t let the gift become lukewarm, a campfire that you can lay your hand upon and feel only warmth from the previous fire is no good.
Our flame should be burning brightly, it is not to go out, or grow cold through disuse. To let the flame go out, or the water to become tepid will most definitely grieve the Holy Spirit. We are to use the “gifts” we have been given to further the Kingdom of God. Notice a warning by Paul, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) The Holy Spirit is the fire of God that burns within us–we are not to let our lives become lukewarm.
We work with the Holy Spirit to be either hot or cold depending on what is needed at the moment. We have a part to play in keeping our lives hot, or to be there to give a cold refreshing drink. We must be in the Word so that the Holy Spirit can work through us the way He wants. To be lukewarm means to be self-centered, not God-centered. To be half-hearted in our efforts and to be self-satisfied. The lukewarm person is a person who is self-deluded and is sickening to the Lord.