Take Your Temperature

I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don't know how bad off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

(Rev 3:15-17)

When we are sick, the first thing to do is check the body temperature. In doing that we can see if there is some illness occurring. From a strictly physiological point, during a fever, the body’s metabolic rate increases, consuming more oxygen and energy to generate heat. This heightened metabolism supports immune activity and accelerates the production of antibodies and immune cells. When the body is cold it slows the process of decay and infection spread. Studies show that mold is most likely to grow at room temperature which is why if you leave your coffee in a cup for a few days, it starts to have that green furry stuff on top.

John writes a rather prolific statement in his vision from Revelation 3:15-17. This is directed at the church of Laodicea, the last of the 7 churches mentioned in the vision. This church in Asian is the reverse of the church of Philadelphia; for, as there was nothing reproved in that, here is nothing commended in this, and yet this was one of the seven golden candlesticks, for a corrupt church may still be a church. This is an incredible charge against the church, the people and the ministers. They exist but have no purpose. They exist but have no mission. They exist but have no real ministry. They are an entity that will make no change in their world, their community or in the larger Christian church.

When we look at ourselves what do we see? Do we see a believer and a church with a desire to be hot and changing the world or do we see a tepid believer that doesn't impact the world in any way. Are we sitting like a toasted bagel on the counter that after a period of time just simply gets harder, crustier and covered in mold. As believers we are called to be a force of change both individually and as a body of believers. The next two lines which are the word of Christ says, Rev 3:18-19- "Buy your gold from me. It has been refined in a fire, and it will make you rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them and you can cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy medicine for your eyes, so that you will be able to see. 

I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins."

While it easy to say, it hard to do, isn't it? We are called to "make up our minds to turn away from our sins." With resolve comes change, with resolve comes courage, with resolve comes strength. We need to see the medicine that will open our eyes so that we can seek out the things that God both convicts us to change and convicts us to do. Yes, conviction can go both ways. It can help us look at those things we need to change about ourself and conviction can encourage and push us to do the right things as well. Gaining a conviction to manage sin will lead us to a conviction to increase the calling that God has put on our life.

If we struggle with something in particular, setting our eyes on Him, will lead us to setting our eyes on what He wants us to do. "No turning back" signifies an irreversible commitment or a point of no return, often used to describe firm decisions, religious devotion, or moving forward without regret.

Scottish Missionary William Cowan who served in India from 1866 until his death in 1902 was not well received. One of his converts would face severe persecution that would ultimately cost him his life, yet little did he know that his stand for Christ would change the world. History does not tell us his name, but be assured, heaven knows his name, for it is recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. As the story goes, he and his family were brought before the tribal leadership. They were angry that the gospel was spreading. They threatened him and his family and demanded that they renounce their faith. Remaining resolute, he famously responded, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” The tribal people martyred his wife first, and it is said that it is where the line, “Though none go with me, still I will follow,” came from. This faithful Christian would eventually lose his own life and pay the ultimate price for following Jesus. Christ said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” John 15:18.

Let us start this and every day with this simple prayer. Open the eyes of my heart Lord so that I may store up my treasure in heaven rather than on earth and I may be clothed in the white of His grace.

Much love,

Preach