The One Temperature Check That Really Makes the Difference

As I sipped on my coffee for a quick temperature check, I realized it was officially too cold to drink but not cold enough to taste as good as iced coffee, it reminds me of Revelation 3:15-16 and these words…

“32˚ is the temperature where water turns to a solid and 212˚ is the temperature water turns to gas, but there is no measurement for lukewarm. Lukewarm is just the temperature of its surroundings” – Jim Gallagher from Calvary Chapel Vero Beach. (listen to the teaching)

We live in a world where checking your temperature is often the only way you can get in the door. Ironically, even God cares what our temperature is. I’m not talking our body temperature but the temperature of our life.

Check Your Temperature

I have been warned about being “lukewarm” all my life but never thought of what makes something lukewarm. Nothing. Literally nothing. Do nothing to ice cold tea on a hot day and it turns lukewarm. Do nothing to keep your food hot and it turns lukewarm. It’s really a sign of neglect, laziness and unpreparedness.

To maintain lukewarm, you do nothing to keep it hot or cold. No cooler, no Yeti cup, no fire on the stove. As a result, it becomes useless or undesirable at best. I literally just tossed my lukewarm coffee out to get a new fresh HOT cup. Isn’t that crazy? It is the same quality Starbucks French roast coffee that I love but I threw it out simply because it wasn’t the right temperature.

Would I make the cut?

If my life could be measured by temperature, I wonder what my temperature would be? If I was served up to God, what would He think as he took a sip of my life?

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic). I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].” (Jesus, Rev 3:15-16)

This sounds sort of extreme at first but I have spit stuff out of my mouth when something didn’t taste good too so I get it. If my coffee isn’t piping hot or ice cold, I don’t want it either. God desires us to live a purposeful life that impacts others.

Hot and cold are both beneficial in one way or the other. Both can be therapeutic, both are desired and both have purpose.

Living on purpose requires being bold. but we live in a world today where everyone is so easily offended. We see less people willing to be hot or cold in fear of standing out or being rejected or judged. I remember when being a Christian was admired – even by non-christians. It was the sign of morality, integrity, discipline, honor, education and faithfulness. We might have been teased for being a goody two shoes but respected and even admired.

I don’t want to be useless. But, in order to do that, I have to be purposeful in doing all I can do to keep my fire lit and flames high. It will take constant work because nothing stays hot or cold without effort. It is OK to be rejected. Jesus was rejected. I wasn’t born to please people even though my flesh wants so bad to please everyone. I think we all do to some degree. However, scripture reminds us who and what is most important.

“Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God’s approval!” – Gal 1:10a

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” – Matt 6:24

This world needs impact. It needs people living on purpose, unafraid. It needs boldness, love, joy, peace and truth. If we haven’t made the impact we were called to make, there is good news. Life, like a cold coffee, can be warmed up again with a little help. (Luke 3:16) XOXO