Grown•ISH | Part Four: Revelation 3:14-20 (NLT)
- May 3
- 3 min read
"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's new creation: I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me, gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."
Devotional
Jesus does not mince words with the church in Laodicea, and He is not mincing words with us either. He is not concerned about how polished our attendance looks or how active our schedule is. He is concerned about our temperature. He is asking a direct question: Are you hot, cold, or somewhere in between?
Lukewarmness is subtle. It does not announce itself. It creeps in quietly, convincing us that because we are busy with church things, we must be close to God. But busyness is not the same as burning. The church in Laodicea had resources, reputation, and influence, yet Jesus stood outside their door, knocking. They had built a life full of things and a faith empty of fire.
This is the danger of comfort. When life is going well, when needs are met, when nothing feels urgent, we stop pressing in. We stop leaning. And slowly, what once set our hearts on fire becomes routine. What once moved us stops affecting us. What once defined us becomes just one of many things we manage.
Tim Keller put it plainly: an idol is anything so central to your life that if you lost it, life would feel not worth living. Lukewarmness is often a sign that something has quietly replaced Jesus at the center. We are still showing up, but we are no longer surrendered.
Jesus calls us back with three keys to turning up the heat: Proximity, Intimacy, and Humility. Draw close enough to hear His voice. Go deep enough to be changed by it. And be honest enough to admit you do not have it all figured out. Maturity is not having all the answers. Maturity is knowing Who does and staying near Him.
The good news is that Jesus is still at the door. He has not left. He is not done. He is knocking, and He is waiting. The question is whether we will open it.
Reflect
Where in your life have you settled for lukewarm? What area of your faith has become routine instead of relational?
What has quietly moved toward the center of your life that may be competing with your hunger for Jesus?
What would it practically look like for you to pursue Proximity, Intimacy, and Humility with God this week?
Prayer
Lord, I do not want to be lukewarm. I do not want a faith that looks alive on the outside but is cold on the inside. Forgive me for the places where comfort has replaced closeness, where busyness has replaced surrender, and where I have confused activity with intimacy. I open the door today. Come in. Restore the fire. Correct what needs correcting and give me the humility to receive it. I want to burn for You again. Help me draw near, stay near, and let what matters to You matter deeply to me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Walk It Out
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
Turn Up The Heat by choosing one of the following this week:
Start with Proximity. Carve out 15 uninterrupted minutes each day to simply sit with God. No agenda. No rush. Just open the door and let Him in.
Pursue Intimacy. Read Luke 24:32 and ask yourself when you last felt your heart burning within you. Journal what was happening in your life during that season and ask God to take you back there.
Practice Humility. Identify one area of your life where you have been operating like you have it under control. Bring it to God, confess it, and ask Him to lead you in it.
