“Neither Cold Nor Hot”

It seems that every congregation struggles to achieve a ‘happy medium’ when it comes to the thermostat setting in the church auditorium.  Some are perpetually cold, while others are simultaneously too hot.  One will be shivering and wearing a heavy coat and lap blanket, while another sitting nearby will be employing one of those ‘funeral home fans’ that are invariably located in the pews.

What we hope to do is find a temperature setting that is acceptable to the majority of folks, resulting in worshippers that are “neither cold nor hot.”  But despite our best efforts, everyone must realize that those whose sensitivities are at the extremes of the hot and cold spectrum will still wish for higher or lower settings on the thermostat.  We beg for patience and a longsuffering attitude on the part of everyone.

On the other hand, the spiritual temperature chart is completely different.  We absolutely do not want to find Christians in the in-between, “lukewarm” range.  Do you recall what the Lord said to the Laodiceans?:  “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”  (Revelation 3:15-16)

We fear that there are too many of God’s people today who would be described as “lukewarm.”  These are the ones who want a measure of religion, but not too much.  They want an association with God’s people, but they also want to be accepted by their friends in the world.  They know they should be faithful in attendance, but their secular activities demand a lot of their time.  In short, they want it both ways.  God’s Word says it can’t be done: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

Christian, are you “neither cold nor hot”?  Are you “lukewarm”?  Think!

– by Greg Gwin