Is Your Life Hot, Cold, Or Surging To The Middle? - Christian Perspectives

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus told John to write to 7 churches. The message to the church in Laodicea was not a pleasant one. In it, Jesus said, “I know all the things you do, and your life is neither hot nor cold.” Then He followed up with verse 16.

But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!  Revelation 3:16

In verse 15, Jesus said, I wish you were one or the other, either hot or cold. I think that is an interesting statement. I can see why the Lord wants people to be hot, but why cold?

Peter said in his second epistle that God wants everyone to repent. In other words, hot. Those who want nothing to do with the Lord are obviously cold. But what about the people who are in between?

The Last Two Churches John Wrote To

Revelation 3 contains letters to two of the churches that John wrote to. At the beginning of the chapter, he wrote to the church of Philadelphia, of which the Lord liked what He saw.

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.  Revelation 3:8

And of course the second one, the church of Laodicea, the Lord was not happy with them.

As we compare those two churches with the Christian community of today, we can see some similar features. There is a segment of “the church” which is on fire for Jesus. Their hearts are stirred toward the things of God.

There is another segment of “the church” which lives more with ego than faith. They depend on their worldly wealth instead of depending on the Lord.

You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:17

Please don’t get me wrong. What the Lord is saying has nothing to do with how much we have. I know some good, godly people who are very wealthy. This has everything to do with depending on worldly goods instead of depending on the Lord.

When A Life Is Hot or Cold

If a person’s life is hot for Jesus, they know it. If a person’s life is cold for Jesus, they also know it. But the person who is playing a Christian role without Jesus is lukewarm.

These are the people the Lord is giving a firm warning to. They think they are going to heaven, but they will have a rude awakening when it’s too late. How can people know they will miss heaven?

There is only one of two places a person can go when they enter eternity. There are, however, three categories of the people the Lord spoke about in this chapter.

If You are Hot for Jesus

The ones who are hot for Jesus, here is what the Lord told John to write.

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12

The ones who are cold for God. They are the ones whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life when they physically die. They will spend eternity separated from God.

That brings us to those who are lukewarm. To those who are playing the part, God wants them to take the opportunity to change their heart. Because listen to what He told them.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.  Revelation 3:20

He hasn’t written them off, He hasn’t written anyone off. He wants all to repent and come to Him.

Make Sure Your Life is Hot and Not Cold or Lukewarm

It’s not our job to determine who is lukewarm and who isn’t, God will take care of that. It is our job to pray for those who we feel might be. God may lay someone on your heart to pray for as well.

Also, it is your job to make sure that your life is hot and not cold. And certainly not a lukewarm Christian. We want everyone to be victorious, and that includes you! Because verse 21 says this.

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21

Lord, help us to stay hot for Jesus every day. Forgive us when we tend to move away from depending on you.

It is well worth your while to read Revelation 3.

Here is a post I think you would be interested in reading. Who Will Harvest You In The End, Jesus Or Satan?

To receive each new devotional post delivered to your inbox, subscribe below by giving us your first name and email address.