What Does the Bible Say About Being Lukewarm?

The Warning to Laodicea in Revelation 3

In Revelation 3, Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea for becoming complacent in their faith. I know your works, he said. You are neither hot nor cold. So because you're lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Now, it's often interpreted that being hot is having passion for God, and cold is against God. If you have no passion, then you're lukewarm. Therefore, Jesus is saying, either be all in or all out. It's the ones in the middle that really make me sick.

Why Lukewarmness Is Not About Being Against Christ

But how does that make sense? Jesus was not telling a church, I'd have more respect for you if you were just against me. Laodicea was abundant in riches, and the church benefited from the wealth of the city.

It got to the point where they thought they didn't need anything from God. But Jesus said, you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. You have nothing apart from Christ. For all of Laodicea's luxuries, there's one resource they didn't have.

Water. Nearby Colossae had refreshing cold water, and Heropolis had medicinal hot water. But what happens when you channel that water in? It becomes lukewarm. If you're expecting a cold drink and it's warm, or hot water and it cools with all those mineral deposits in it, you're going to spit it out.

The Call to Zeal, Repentance, and Faithfulness

What Jesus was saying to them was this. You are far from the source. You cannot refresh nor offer healing to anyone because you're far from me and my word. Many churches today have sought after wealth and prosperity, and they've forgotten the word of Christ.

Jesus says, those whom I love I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. But if you cling to this world instead of Christ, He will spit your name out of His mouth on Judgment Day when we understand the text.