Half-hearted dedication stinks. We crave whole-heartedness – true devotion! Something in the soul of human beings longs for passion. Mediocrity is not attractive to us in any arena of life; and the reason is a simple one. The God who made us designed us for fervent worship. Mediocrity does not bring good results in sports, careers, relationships, studies, or any other area. It is repulsive in much the same way a mediocre relationship with God is abhorrent to Him. Our lives are designed to be all-consumed. We feel right when we are completely used up for God’s sake. I am content when my efforts have been spent, my words have been spent, my emotions have been spent, my body has been spent, and my intellect has been spent for the purpose of Someone greater than me. That Someone is the transcendent, personal God of the universe. I want to live a life of zeal for my God.
Perhaps this is why the words of Revelation 3:15-16 can sting so badly. Let us consider our lives – not in the broad sense – but in the everyday moments of living. Let’s think about our deeds: the way we arise in the morning, the look on our face when we meet someone before our first drink of coffee, the conversation we have over lunch, the way we approach housework, the way we approach our career, the goal we have in human encounters, the way we entertain ourselves, and a myriad of other actions. Are these things done rightly from a heart of passion that puts God’s glory at the forefront? Or are our deeds sadly reflecting a heart that has lost its fervor for God’s purposes in all things?
Picture a thermometer. The top line represents a red-hot relationship with Jesus Christ, the kind of relationship where His glory is your goal no matter the cost; you are consumed by an incomparable love for the Lord. The bottom line represents a quite dead, cold relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, an affiliation this icy could hardly be considered a relationship. Now, on that thermometer, where would you place your relationship with God? At the very top line? At the very bottom? If you are like most people, you probably will not put it in either of those places, but somewhere in between. Perhaps you may even choose a level close to the top, but most likely – if we are honest – not at either extreme.
Given that assessment, let’s now hear the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV), “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Yikes! This does not sound good for people who are “in the middle somewhere.” Jesus sees exactly where we are, and He is disgusted at a lukewarm heart. The Lord is so disgusted; He informs us that He would vomit us out of His mouth. Though I would not want to be a part of any regurgitation process, I most certainly would not want the Lord of my life to be repulsed by my heart’s status. Sadly, I know there have been times in my life when I was on the receiving end of this horrifying rebuke.
My hope is found in four little words of verse sixteen, “I am about to.” The New International Version seems to render the Greek word most accurately. The original word means “to be on the point of doing something; to intend; to have in mind.” In other words, Jesus – because of our repugnant lukewarm status – is ready to vomit us out of His mouth, but He has not yet done so. This is tremendous! I deserve to be spit out, but Jesus is giving one window of opportunity with those four all-important words, “I am about to.” Let the words roll through your mind. Say them aloud, “He is about to.” He has not yet, but He certainly will unless we turn around. Thank God, we can!
Verse twenty of the same chapter informs us that Jesus is standing at the door of the lukewarm heart and knocking. He is taking the initiative; He believes we may just let Him in. If a man or woman opens the door, He will come in to have genuine, passionate relationship with that person. O blessed day, when Jesus comes in to make one who should be spit out into one who dines with the God of the universe!
Four life-changing words spoken by Jesus – “I am about to.” I love those words. A window of hope.