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Jesus wrote seven letters to the churches in the book of Revelation. When I read one of them, I can’t help but think, “This is a letter to the church in America.” And that's scary because it's not a nice letter.
“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 3:14-16)
It's simple. Jesus says to this church, “You're not hot, you're not cold. You’re lukewarm and casual about Me. I feel like spitting you out of My mouth. You make Me gag.”
It’s like when you take a sip of lukewarm coffee by accident and go, “Oh, that's disgusting!” That's what Jesus thought of this church because they weren’t deeply in love with Him.
If you keep reading, you see a big factor in their lukewarmness: They were rich.
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Revelation 3:17-18)
This church said, “I don’t need anything from anyone. I don’t need a crutch. I’m doing fine.” They were casual towards God because they weren’t depending on Him.
When was the last time you said, “God, please give me something to eat today! Give me this day my daily bread”? That’s not us! Many of us think, “Well, I don’t really need God for my food. I don’t really need God for my home. I’ve got my whole retirement set up.” You might even have money to leave for your kids, so they don't have to depend on God either!
When we don’t need to depend on God for daily necessities, it can create this sense of security where we don’t feel like “needy” people. In our arrogance, we quickly forget that we are utterly dependent on God for the very breath in our lungs, let alone our food, money, and shelter. We feel that we have earned our physical prosperity, and this mindset creeps into our spiritual life as well. We become entitled and complacent, even towards our very salvation. And God says, “They don’t get it. In my eyes, they are the ones who are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” If we truly understood the magnitude of God’s grace, we couldn’t help but be on fire for Him.
Are you on fire for God right now?
It deeply concerns me that I think much of the American church would answer “No, I am not on fire for God.” In fact, many would probably say that they are lukewarm. What concerns me more is that many of those people would then go on with life and do nothing about it. What concerns me most is that some people are lukewarm, know they’re lukewarm, and want to be lukewarm.
Some have actually planned their lives this way. They don’t have enough money, they don't have enough stuff, and they need a bigger house…but they've got enough God.
Not only are some people lukewarm, but that's their goal. They're lukewarm and loving it!
Not only are some people lukewarm, but that's their goal. They're lukewarm and loving it! And they hate anyone challenging them to be on fire for God.
Do you understand this passage? What’s the consequence of being lukewarm? To be spit out of Jesus’ mouth.
But people will ask, “Does it necessarily mean that if I'm lukewarm I'm going to Hell?” Well, can you be spit out of His mouth and still be saved?!
Look at His words: Wretched. Pitiful. Poor. Blind. Are these words that you normally use for a believer? “I once was blind, but now I’m…blind”?
Sadly, some people will see themselves as lukewarm, and then forget about it ten minutes later and move on in life. But if they truly understood that they're going to be spit out of the mouth of God, they shouldn't do anything until they desire to be on fire for Him! They should be on their face asking Him to change their heart and see how valuable He is compared to the things of the world. That should be all they care about!
I’m not saying if you work hard enough, then you'll suddenly be on fire for God. I'm saying if you understand the gift we’ve been given through Christ, you can’t stay lukewarm. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a person that says, “Are you kidding me?! Let me sell everything if it gets me this treasure!” It's like Zacchaeus jumping out of a tree saying, “Forget everything else! I can have God!”
Why are Jesus’ words so strong about this? He tells us in Revelation 3:19:
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
He’s saying, “It’s repulsive to Me when you compare Me to your possessions, your false security, and your idols. But I still love you. You can return to Me. Don’t wait!”
So, if God is showing you today that you’re lukewarm, be earnest — and repent!
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