“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” —Revelation 3:15
The Lord is passionate about us. He loves us with a love that He wants us to experience, not just study. Yet so many people never know that kind of intense, sincere love. Henry Thoreau once wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” I look around our world and think, sadly, he’s right.
When Jesus wrote these words to the Church—“I wish you were cold or hot’’— He acknowledged that cold people can at least be passionate about their bitterness and unbelief. I believe Jesus implied that such people are closer to the kingdom of heaven because at least there is a spark of passion to their lives.
Think of the apostle Paul. He was cold toward Jesus at one time. He persecuted Christians with a hateful, ruthless zeal that caused believers to fear at the sound of his name. Yet, I can’t help but think that this misguided and misused passion made him more vulnerable to the blinding Light that struck him down on the road to Damascus.
“Because you are lukewarm,” Jesus continued in Revelation, “I will vomit you out of my mouth” (3:16). I can’t imagine a more graphic picture of godly disdain. Nothing is worse than a human being made in the image of God who lives a passionless life! In fact, it will drive you crazy.
You were made to know God. Your body was created to house His glory.
Dwight L. Moody, the great evangelist, preached on many subjects, but according to his biography, “He had one central message to share with people: Men and women are all created to be friends and lovers of God. We are made for no other end. Until we realize this, we will live lives of turmoil, confusion, and even desperation.”
We are made to live on a heavenly course, drawn closer and closer to our God.
