cole lyman Bioinformatics, Emacs, Programming, and Life

Neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot

“Neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot”

“Neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot”

09 April 2016

“Neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot”

09 April 2016

(Photo credit Leon Mauldin)

In modern-day Turkey there is a city called Laodicea. One of the attributes of this city that stands out the most in modern times is its water distribution system. Not because of its effectiveness, but rather because of its ineffectiveness. Because of where Laodicea was situated in relation to the water source, by the time the water from the hot springs reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. The temperature of the water was optimal for bacteria to grow, which in turn clogged the pipes of Laodicea (see picture). Had the water been warmer, or colder, the pipes would not have been clogged.

Spiritual Pipes

John was not referring to the effectiveness of Laodicea’s water system when he wrote “Thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15). He prefaced this with “I know thy works” (Revelation 3:15); John was referring to the spiritual temperature of the Laodiceans.

How can one be spiritually hot or cold? Is there a spiritual lukewarm? I believe that in reality spirituality is a binary matter, meaning that there is no true middle ground. We may say what we believe, but we show what we truly believe through what we do. In the end, we are either on Christ’s side or we are not. Those that say that they are on His side, but show otherwise may be considered to be lukewarm.

When we are lukewarm the spiritual water that flows from God to us is inhibited. We do not act on the promptings that are given to us, and the flow of water will gradually be diminished to a mere trickle. Distractions and temptations will pile up and clog our spiritual pipes. Let us always be spiritually warm, that the living water that we receive may always flow with abundance.

-Cole

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