The Lukewarm
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “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 3:14-16 NKJV.
Paul Kerouac had a little problem when he went to the restroom of a Dunkin’ Donut in Orlando, Florida. The toilet exploded! Sounds pretty bad, doesn’t it! When the toilet exploded, he was covered with feces, urine, and other stuff. Paul left the restroom and asked for help from the store employees and the manager. Kerouac is suing for his “severe and long-term injuries” claiming he suffered injuries to his body and has had to have therapy to recover from the incident. (AP 01.04.24; People 01.05.24; MSN 01.05.24 and various other news venues.)
Most of us have heard many sermons and Bible studies about the churches described in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. The people of Laodicea are described as being “lukewarm” because of their spiritually compromised situation. You could infer from this description that the Laodiceans were double minded. They wanted to be called Christians, but they were not ready to give up the pleasures of the world. The people of Laodicea were very wealthy and there were also several Temples for false gods in the city. Were those who made up this church also worshipping the false gods? Perhaps, and that would not be so unusual if you look back into the history of the Israelites.
Jesus says that he will “vomit you out of My mouth.” This statement reminds me of the exploding toilet that spewed out or you could say vomited out all kinds of vile stuff. That is how the Lord looks at many of the things we allow to be present in our lives. If you know Jesus as your Savior, He is living within you and the things of the world that you fill your life with makes the Lord sick.
Are you “lukewarm”? Do you want your heart to belong completely to the Lord? If so 1 John 1:9 is still in the Bible: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Rise up! Throw off the yoke of the world! You can do it because: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).”