15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The Jesus-followers in the city of Laodicea fell into a spot spiritually that is easy for any one of us to fall. Jesus, speaking through John, has a wish, a desire that they would make a choice. Unfortunately it was an unobtainable wish. They did not have the commitment to Jesus needed to make the choice. Perhaps there was persecution, and in the face of that persecution they chose comfort rather than commitment. But they were torn, so they moved back and forth in their decision. Jesus just wanted them to get off the fence, to make a choice. Did you ever consider that it takes some effort to stay lukewarm? It is not that they were not giving something to the fight, but that they were just doing a minimal job, just enough to get by. These believers were unwilling to take a stand one way or the other and then throw their full energies into that choice. Jesus just wants them to make a choice. Then, once they have made a choice, He knows how to deal with them. Notice also that Jesus is about to spit them out. He hasn’t spit them out yet. There is still time for them to get hot or cold. All they need to do is make a decision and act on it. So often in our lives we are the same way. I have struggle for several months over the purchase of a new TV. I have done research, and visited numerous stores and internet sites looking for the best deal. And even when I found the best deal, I still could not bring myself to make the purchase. I spent months sitting on the fence, unwilling to spend the money. Well, I clicked last night. It is on the way. I am no longer lukewarm. I made the decision. What decisions in your spiritual life have you been putting off? To what is Jesus calling you that you continue to say, “Later”? Make the decision today. Say “Yes” to Jesus.
The Arnold Journey 