Are We Lukewarm?

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Rev 3:14-22 Greek Word: χλιαρός, khlee-ar-os' from chlio (to warm); tepid :- lukewarm. Lukewarm 1 : moderately warm : tepid 2 : lacking conviction : halfhearted halfhearted : lacking heart, spirit, or interest Webster’s Bible Dictionary DOUBLE-MINDED, a. Having different minds at different times; unsettled; wavering; unstable; undetermined. James 1. two-spirited, i.e. vacillating (in opinion or purpose) Laodicea was an ancient city in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey that was founded by the Syrian king Antiochus II. It was situated on one of the major regional trade routes that made it a prosperous commercial and banking center of the time. Laodicea is best known as one of The Seven Churches of Bible Prophecy. The Christians at Laodicea have long been used as an example of those whose faith became "lukewarm" because they put as much trust and faith in their financial wealth as they did in God. They sought security from temporary worldly wealth, while largely forsaking true eternal riches. Jesus said he would spue them out of his mouth because they were lukewarm. He said that he wished they were either hot or cold. I see this as if they were hot they were saved, with a heart for God and they lived their lives for God. If they were cold either they did not know God or they had a falling away which needed a coming back to God. This could also mean it is better to be for God or against God, not in between. I also feel this is where most Christians stand. In the middle, on the fence. Before we get on our high horse and say that’s not me, let’s look at some examples in the scriptures of people that maybe we never thought of as being lukewarm or double minded, or half hearted. I feel these three descriptions of behavior are the same. I think we need to look at what James wrote about this subject. James seemed to think a lot about things like this. He was stern about the Christian works that were necessary to be a servant of Christ. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (KJV) 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8 (KJV) James uses it to describe someone who is divided in his interests or loyalties, wavering, uncertain, two-faced, half-hearted. Double mindedness is the theme throughout his letter. Let’s look at some examples of people who were double minded in the bible. First let’s look at David. 2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 2 Sam 11:2-5 (KJV) This is not the character of King David. He is a man after God’s own heart. He is the mighty King David. David was double minded, half hearted, and lukewarm at this time. This is why he was able to go as far as he did with this sin. All he had to do was turn his head and not look, right? When we get on the wrong track and think about ourselves and what will make us feel better WE ARE NOT IN THE WILL OF GOD. We are selfish. Remember, Jesus warned us by telling us, what good is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul. We must remember we are not here to please ourselves if we are God’s children. What about John the Baptist, was he ever double minded? 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? Luke 7:19-20 (KJV) This is John the Baptist. The word of God says he jumped in the womb because he was close to Jesus. He baptized Jesus and saw the Holy Spirit and heard the word of God say This is my beloved son. He knew who Jesus was from a baby but when times got hard and he was in prison he wanted to make sure he was following the right man who he knew was the Messiah. What about Peter when he denied Jesus and Judas when he betrayed Jesus. These are just a few examples of people in the Bible who were double minded. Some are obvious but others we have to think about. I have a question for everyone. Which sins do you hate the most? 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Prov 6:16-19 (KJV) 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thess 5:22 (KJV) God hates all sin and he tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil. If we know something is sin and we do it we are double minded. If we say we love God with all our heart and all our soul and all our mind and we do things or we plan to do things that are just for us and are selfish then guess what, we are double minded. If we do not live our lives for God everyday and not for ourselves, our family, our job, or anything else we are lukewarm and we are in danger of being spued out of the mouth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, figuratively speaking of course. And for the people, and I know there are some, who think that it is ok for us to live our lives for ourselves, show me where God’s word says anything like that. If you can find one place where God’s word says that I will show you at least 20 where he tells us to live FOR HIM ONLY. Jesus warned us many time about this. We also have to do what he tells us even if we think we don’t have to. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matt 7:21-29 (KJV) We have heard his sayings. Are we doing them or are we doing them half heartedly. We have a way out. The way out is to do everything we are supposed to do. That sounds easy but is it? 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 (KJV) We can overcome the world and the things in it if we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That is what the word of God tells us so it has to be true because God does not lie. Let’s do everything we can to live for God. This is what I always say and I pray I will always feel this way. The creator of everything loves us and has shown us more mercy than any of us deserve. We are sinners and we all deserve Hell. God’s word tells us that we will not get what we deserve if we do what he says, but we keep on thinking about ourselves because we seem to think God will understand. If you are one of these people who think God understands our selfishness, I beg you to read the Old Testament and find out the character of our God. Just because he has shown us so much mercy does not mean his character is not the same. God showed his people mercy many times before us. Anyway let’s live this week like we are going to die by next Tuesday and we are going to go before the judgment seat of God.