Neither cold or hot
The book of Revelations record this about the so called lukewarm church,
“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.
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.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Here is a church described as neither cold or hot. Someone said cold water is refreshing to drink. Hot water is good for cleansing. Lukewarm water is neither.
As Christians we need to be hot. We need to be on fire for God.
The church at Laodicea was not. They thought they were but they were not. Jesus states,
“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.”
It appears they thought because they were materially rich they were spiritually rich. When in fact they were far from it.
There is especially here in North America today a group my former pastor use to call the “blab it grab it crowd” better know as the name it claim it group. Pastors and evangelist who say God wants you to be materially rich. That if you are not there is some sin in your life.
They claim if you give to God he will give back to you ten or even a hundred fold. They call it “seed faith”. This is wrong teaching. God is not a supernatural banker giving super interest on what you give. You should be giving to God's work because you want to not with the intention of getting a large return on your investment
Now There is nothing wrong with being rich. It is the Love of money that is sinful. When you love money more than God.
The Church at Laodicea seemed to think that since they were materially blessed they were right with God. Jesus however tell s them,
“you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
He goes on to say,
‘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.”
In other words study the scriptures and find what God truly wants for your life. So that you may become rich spiritually. That your spiritual nakedness may be covered and your spiritual eyes opened.
It is so easy in this day and age to become lukewarm. To mix our faith with the things of the world around us. This however should not be so. We need to be on fire for Christ. He needs to take first place in our lives.
Jesus warns,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus tells the church at Laodicea
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
If we truly turn to Christ. If we study the scriptures and follow the teachings of God we will gain for ourselves a home in Heaven and all that entails.
Please think about it.
The book of Revelations record this about the so called lukewarm church,
“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.
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.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Here is a church described as neither cold or hot. Someone said cold water is refreshing to drink. Hot water is good for cleansing. Lukewarm water is neither.
As Christians we need to be hot. We need to be on fire for God.
The church at Laodicea was not. They thought they were but they were not. Jesus states,
“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.”
It appears they thought because they were materially rich they were spiritually rich. When in fact they were far from it.
There is especially here in North America today a group my former pastor use to call the “blab it grab it crowd” better know as the name it claim it group. Pastors and evangelist who say God wants you to be materially rich. That if you are not there is some sin in your life.
They claim if you give to God he will give back to you ten or even a hundred fold. They call it “seed faith”. This is wrong teaching. God is not a supernatural banker giving super interest on what you give. You should be giving to God's work because you want to not with the intention of getting a large return on your investment
Now There is nothing wrong with being rich. It is the Love of money that is sinful. When you love money more than God.
The Church at Laodicea seemed to think that since they were materially blessed they were right with God. Jesus however tell s them,
“you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
He goes on to say,
‘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.”
In other words study the scriptures and find what God truly wants for your life. So that you may become rich spiritually. That your spiritual nakedness may be covered and your spiritual eyes opened.
It is so easy in this day and age to become lukewarm. To mix our faith with the things of the world around us. This however should not be so. We need to be on fire for Christ. He needs to take first place in our lives.
Jesus warns,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus tells the church at Laodicea
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
If we truly turn to Christ. If we study the scriptures and follow the teachings of God we will gain for ourselves a home in Heaven and all that entails.
Please think about it.
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