A LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE... OR FILLED WITH THE WORLD
Hot, Cold and
Lukewarm
1. Cold water - given as an expression of love.
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Matthew 10:42 - Our response to Jesus' disciples reveals our response to
Jesus himself (see v. 40). Even the smallest act of kindness will not be
forgotten by him, but will be rewarded. Pay attention to the context, which
focuses on the cost of being a disciple.
2. Hot / cold vs. lukewarm.
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Revelation 3:15-16 - Jesus tells us that he prefers us to be either "hot" or "cold,"
rather than "lukewarm." A "lukewarm" condition is one in which a person claims
to be Jesus' followers, even though he still accepts the
world's values. Jesus considers such people to be so disgusting
and repulsive, that he will "vomit" them out.
TO THINK ABOUT...
Even the smallest acts of kindness, such as giving a person a drink of water,
can be done for God. In Matthew 10:42, this kindness is being expressed toward
a disciple of Jesus, but in other verses, Jesus tells us that kindness is
to be expressed to everyone, even to our enemies! (Matthew 5:43-48;
Luke 10:30-37)
-
What are some ways you can show kindness to other people - and indirectly,
to God? (This would include the showing of kindness to people you don't get
along with - including any enemies you may have.)
In the verses preceding Matthew 10:42, Jesus reminds his disciples that many
people will treat them with hostility - simply because they are disciples
of Jesus. Under such conditions, it might be dangerous for a person
to express kindness to a disciple of Jesus. The hostile people might attack
the kind person, too! Yet Jesus says he will remember what the kind person
did, and will reward him.
-
Under what conditions would you be willing to show kindness to someone? When
conditions were favorable? When it would require you to "sacrifice" some
of your own interests? When others might respond with hostility, if they
found out about your kindness?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Look at the context of Matthew 10:42, the cost of being a disciple. Are you
willing to pay the price for being a disciple of Jesus?
-
If your answer is "No": What does that indicate about your
spiritual condition?
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If your answer is "Not Sure," or if you are only half-willing to pay
the price of discipleship: You need to think seriously about what
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:24 (nobody can serve two masters). Give serious
consideration to the issue of where your heart really is.
-
If your answer is "Yes": You need to examine yourself, to
see if your claim is actually proven true by the way you
live...
Examining yourself...
-
Give serious thought to what Jesus says, in Revelation 3:15-17. Examine whether
or not your actions prove that your answer is accurate. Remember
that the person who claims to be one of Jesus' disciples (followers),
but whose life continues to reflect the world's values, is most repulsive
and abhorrent to Jesus (Revelation 3:15-16).
-
If you haven't already done so, you may have to study the Bible, to determine
the difference between Jesus' values and the world's values
- and then decide which you are going to follow. Remember that the world's
values don't always openly oppose Jesus' values... sometimes they
counterfeit them - and only by understanding what is genuine, can
a counterfeit be identified.
-
If you discover that this verse does reflect your condition (or
it does so in part), you need to think seriously about what Jesus says, in
Revelation 3:16-17... and also pay attention also to Jesus' advice
and encouragement, in verses 18-22.
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You do not need to "fail the test" (2 Corinthians 13:5). If you discover
that you are lukewarm, just be willing to change your ways. It is only if
you refuse to change (or ignore the need to do so), that you fail
the test.
GREEK WORDS
zestos, boiling hot,
hot; metaphorically of fervor of mind and zeal. Revelation 3:15-16
psuchros, cold, cool;
cool water; metaphor: sluggish, inert, without enthusiasm, Matthew 10:42;
Revelation 3:15-16
chliaros, tepid, lukewarm,
Revelation 3:16
Dennis Hinks © 1998, 2002
041230
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