Spiritual Temperature

Do you like your water cold or room temperature? I've learned most people do have a preference. Here's one thing we can all agree on: no one likes to drink lukewarm water! The New Testament city, Laodicea, had a water problem: first of all, their water was full of sediment, which made it distasteful, so they depended on water supplied from south of the city through clay pipes. Although the water left its source cold, by the time it reached the city it was lukewarm - fine for cooking with or bathing but unpleasant for drinking. To the Believers at Laodicea, God said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16 NASB). What an alarming evaluation of a Believer's life,  that his or her life is unpleasant, useless, disgusting to the Lord! How does this happen? Recently, Pastor Eli asked this question: how do you make water lukewarm? The answer should stun us all into action: water becomes lukewarm by doing absolutely ... nothing. Nothing - as in neglecting to spend time with The Father in prayer and in His Word, neglecting to study and worship and fellowship with the Saints, failure to live-out the teachings of Christ. That's how the Believer's life takes on the uselessness referred to in this passage. Lukewarm water may have its uses but a lukewarm love for God has no place in The Kingdom of God. Be attentive to your spiritual life, intentional and disciplined in your holy habits, and always conscious of your ... spiritual temperature.