“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
So then
Jesus draws an implication of tepid Christianity.
because you are lukewarm
The word “lukewarm” means tepid. The tepid church at Laodicea did not furnish any refreshment to the Lord.
and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth
We get our English word “emit” from the Greek word for “vomit.” We also get the word “emetic” from this word. An emetic is a mixture of glob that doctors give a person when they swallow poison; it makes them vomit. A tepid church makes Jesus vomit. Jesus rejects passable Christianity. There is nothing mediocre about Jesus.
The implication in this statement by Jesus is that we care about what makes Jesus nauseous. He spits out this kind of spirituality; it makes Him throw up.
PRINCIPLE:
Complacent spirituality is repugnant to Jesus.
APPLICATION:
Jesus rejects tepid Christianity. A lukewarm church makes Jesus sick to His stomach. Jesus wants to get this kind of church out of His system. Complacent Christianity is utterly repugnant to Him.
A church with no enthusiasm, no passion, no compassion, or urgency is no innocuous situation to Jesus. Many churches are thoroughly evangelical but have little passion for evangelism. Tepid Christianity that is neither more nor less nauseates the Lord Jesus.
Sir,
How would it be possible for me to judge as to which explanations are the true meaning of a context, when its all scholars and learned men who debate it.?
What measures can guard me from sorting the right explanation from the wrong one?
I am a member of Orthodox Church.Legalism is seen around to a high degree. Mostly i have seen it been setup by church to help us earn our crowns.People around but misinterpret it.
Will it possible if a person abides by or tries his best to abide by the principles laid in bible and yet never get salvation?
Sherin, there are a few difficult texts where no one can have a final interpretation. In that case, it is important to develop the attitude of humility. Most of Scripture, however, can be understood with perspicuity. This involves a number of issues: 1) spiritually, we trust the Spirit of God to enlighten us (this is called illumination, 1 Co 2), 2) Above all the argument of the book is the most important principle of interpretation, then the context of the next largest section of a book, then finally the context of the immediate passage. Hermeneutic books explain this process. Other principles also follow which are too numerous to delineate.
Regarding legalism, I suggest you go to my study on Galatians. Be sure to read the Introduction found at the top of each page.
You last question is also answered in Galatians which sets up salvation by faith mutually exclusively.
Hot means believing in Salvation by grace. Cold means salvation by works of the Law. but if you teach both law & Grace: galatians 5:4 he will spit you out. I say law bcause one will come to the end of himself and finally move to grace where his yoke light and easy.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is saying because that particular church is idol (lukewarm), they will not see the kingdom of heaven.
Sir Grant you said that cant loose His or salvation. when one backslides from the faith has that person not lost his/her salvation? Hebrews 6:4 says It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
im sure that verse talks about going out of the faith and probably loosing your salvation. Can you enlighten me on the Hebrews 6:4. Thanks
KONANI, Hebrews was addressed to Christians who were reverting back to types whereas the Antitype had come and fulfilled the types. The issue in Hebrews 5 and 6 has to do with Christian maturity, not salvation. It is impossible for people to mature if they revert to Old Testament types. Note this study: http://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/hebrews-512-620/