I am not a warm weather guy. Many people around me get all excited when summer arrives and beg out of work when the temperatures start to hit 80. I guess it comes from growing up in the Northwest, but I’m not a fan of the heat. The most I want to deal with is about 75. After that, it just starts to get uncomfortable. We have one or two stretches of three to five days in the upper 90s (and breaking 100) every summer. I hate those days because I can’t keep the house cool enough and it’s not really acceptable to wear anything less than shorts and a t-shirt. Give me a cold snap anytime. I can heat the house and wear more clothes. Never a problem.

The truth is that I like to keep my environment nice and predictable and very middle-of-the-road. Hot and cold aren’t very comfortable.

Which is sort of the point Jesus is making here to the church at Laodicea:

“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.” Revelation 3:15-17

This church’s problem was that they were comfortable. They found a nice, middle-of-the-road groove and just relaxed into it. They had fooled themselves into thinking they had what they needed, but didn’t realize just how in need they were.

This is a common trap for Americans because we really do have it pretty good. What’s considered poor in our society is probably middle-class or better in some countries. We really do complain about the smallest things because our greatest needs are taken care of. It’s hard for us to imagine deep, painful, daily need. But, that is exactly the kind of spiritual need we have. 

In the very next verse, Jesus suggests the solution:

“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 3:18

The wealth, clothes, and vision most people think they have is false. We need to go to Jesus for these things and what He provides is eternal.

Don’t be comfortable. Don’t be lukewarm.

Get hot!