Jesus Does Not Like Lukewarm

It is the searing rebuke, hard words that capture the scary self-righteousness of sin: And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write, “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, and naked.

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent (V 14-19).