Be Cold or Be Hot

David preached on Christ’s letter to Laodicea, focusing on his famous condemnation of the church’s “lukewarm” faith. But why isn’t lukewarm better than a cold faith? Here is part of how David answered that question:

Many people waver between the Lord and Baal, between God and money. At a glance, they seem to have a heart divided between God and money. But this is not true. Their heart is not divided. Their heart is wholly absorbed in money. God is merely a “means” or “instrument” for wealthier life. In this sense, when they bow down and pray before God, their hearts are actually worshipping and seeking an idol. We become lukewarm toward God when we objectify or instrumentalize the Lord. An object or instrument is not for love and respect. We don’t love it. We don’t fear it. We don’t hate it. We just take a neutral attitude, neither cold nor hot. And this is most abominable in God’s eyes.

The Light of the World, Holamn Hunt