Neither Cold nor Hot

Jesus said, "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" Revelations 3:15-16

Jesus is not saying that he'd rather we have cold faith or that our love be cold, instead of being lukewarm. No Father wishes that his children are cold in their hearts toward him.

Think of the attributes of hot and cold.

Hot:
Healing - hot compresses, baths and heating pads are used to bring healing to sore muscles.
Comfort - hot drinks and sitting by a fire brings comfort on cold winter nights.

Cold:
Healing - ice and cold compresses are used on sprains and sore muscles to bring down swelling and help heal.
Refreshing - ice cold drinks and dips in cold pools refresh us on hot days.

Hot and cold both bring healing, while one also refreshes and the other comforts. Lukewarmness does neither. It cannot refresh, comfort, or heal. Lukewarmness is good for nothing. Jesus is saying we need to be people who bring healing, comfort, and refreshing into other's lives. Hot and cold are both good in His eyes. These are the deeds that He's looking for in His children.

Artwork: Ice and Fire, unknown

Thin Ropes of Mercy

So, there you are. Poor tired soul. Been adrift at sea for quite awhile now, haven’t you? If not for those thin ropes of mercy tethering you to that bit of salvage . . . you’d be drowned.

Now what? How does a shipwrecked life find healing anyway? Where is deliverance from the merciless wind that tears at your skin and the unkind water that grabs at you with its cruel, icy finger? And that gray sky, that sorrowful gray sky that stretches infinitely on, that threatens to banish the sun forever from your gaze – who can call back the blue and bright above and drive away the gray forever?

I know who . . . and I know how . . . I know His name well. He is a brash lover of souls and a fearless one who is not intimidated by violent winds or cold waters that run perilously deep. He’s calling you – no, no, it’s not the wind you hear. It’s Him! Open up your eyes, dear soul, your deliverance is at hand!

Artwork: All That was left of the Homeward Bound by Riviere