Christians – hot and cold.
Are you a hot or cold Christian?
The other day I heard a different take on the church in the book of Revelation (chapter 3) – we all know it.
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. (NIV)
I’m not sure about this understanding and I’m not saying that it’s right, but it did make me think.
This pastor said that people living in the time that this book was written would not have had an understanding of hot and cold as personalities or temperaments. They would have seen this as simply being cold or hot – temperatures. So “being on fire” for God, or the opposite might not have played a role.
This pastor’s reasoning continued…hot is good. But so is cold. God wasn’t saying that cold was bad – it was only the lukewarm that He was about to spit out.
True…cold is good.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Cold water is good. It is refreshing and hydrating. You cool off with it on a hot day.
Hot water is good. You cook with it and clean with it.
So…where am I going with this?
Are you a hot Christian or a cold Christian?
There are Christians that I know that I can equate with hot water. They press me, challenge me and I feel cleansed after being with them. Like being dipped into warmth, I feel “more done” when I leave then when I arrived.
There are also Christians that I know that are more like that cup of cold water. Rather than challenge, there are times that I seem to need encouragement – that refreshing drink of coolness. Like being dipped into cool water, I am refreshed and ready to meet what life brings.
There are times and places for both heat and cold. Both are good. And most of us are both of these during different times and seasons. And most of us do tend to be either one or the other at most times.
Some might define us as “feelers” or “thinkers”. That may be true to some extent, but we should be both – although maybe stronger in one area. Both are essential – refreshing and cleansing.
Don’t be afraid to identify your strength…along with the understanding of your strength comes the understanding what isn’t your strength.
Remember, it was the lukewarm that was not good…
Be hot or be cold. Embrace it, but nurture the flip side.
Challenge…and love. Love, with knowledge.
In Christ…
Wonderful post.
Thank you, loved that. Never thought of it quite like that.
I have not thought about this scripture in this context either. Neat. Thank you.
I love this take on that scripture.
Thanks for sharing.
Ellen, I love the idea that both are good – hot and cool. You are right, and I never thought about it that “lukewarm” was not so good. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.
Blessing to you and yours…
Interesting to see how this changes how we see this verse, when we learn it in the context that it was written! This is how my pastor has taught this verse as well, and it was helpful to hear it taught the way it was intended to be taught!
Excellent truths!
Also love the idea of being both. I know what it’s like to be lukewarm and I pray i never go back to living that way!