My wife and one of the other ladies shared a double bed, which was warmed by an electric blanket.
Each side of the blanket had its own individual control.
Somehow, the controls got switched and one party was cranking up the heat all night while the other was turning it down. One "roasted" while the other "froze".
You may be sure, each person was kept awake by their experience!
Perhaps this is why Jesus made no distinction between the value of being "hot" (fervent in sprit) or "cold" (backslidden formalism). He said to the Laodicean church: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot."
This was a very wealthy church according to our earthly standards, but in the economy of Heaven, it was wretchedly poor. We know its spiritual condition because Jesus Christ examined it and found it lacking in fervor, good works and spiritual vision.
He wanted this church to regain their love and zeal. "Hot" is a good spiritual condition in His eyes, the only proper response to the depth of His Calvary love for us. Yet they were satisfied with their lukewarm condition. Therefore, if indeed they were cold, their eyes would be open to the danger of the tepid trap of complacency. This realization would spur them on to repentance and restoration.
Losing our zeal for Christ is common. Not regaining it is dangerous. Regaining and maintaining it is found in His Presence, as He opens the Word to us. Here's His promise made to all of us:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:19-21
Perhaps the idea of Christ correcting us, sometimes sharply, is hard for us to reconcile with His loving us. Yet every loving parent corrects and trains their child. We understand children do not always wholeheartedly accept correction or realize it is for their own well being as it is being administered. Let us not be children ourselves in this matter of being corrected by the One who died for us. How can we doubt His love... or our need to be corrected?
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