Contents

I. Don’t Be Lukewarm

1.1 Revelation 3:15-17

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.[a] I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going[b] to vomit[c] you out of my mouth! 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth,[d] and need nothing,” but[e] do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,[f] poor, blind, and naked, — Revelation 3:15-17 NET (New English Translation)

  • 1.1.1 Commentary

    When Jesus looked upon Laodicea he used a metaphor to compare it to what it should be. When he said that he wished that they were either cold or hot, he was referring to two water sources. To the east was Colossae1, located 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Laodicea4, which had cold, refreshing3, pure waters, and to the north was the hot springs of Hierapolis, located 6 miles (9.5 kilometers) from Laodicea and were famed for their healing power.4

    By the time these pure sources of water reached Laodicea, which lacked its own water supply4, it was smelly5, muddy, undrinkable0 and contaminated4. In like manner, Jesus found his church’s tepid indifference repugnant0, Jesus was saying that the church’s indecisive commitment to him was revolting.5 Cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for medical purposes. Lukewarm water is neither. By analogy, the works of the Laodicean church made Christ want to vomit the believers out of His mouth. In very vivid terms, the Lord rejects the halfhearted efforts of self-satisfied Christians.6

1.2 Romans 2:24

For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” — Romans 2:24 ESV

  • 1.2.1 Commentary

    As a result of their hypocrisy, the Gentiles themselves blasphemed God.6 In the same way, as a result of our hypocrisy, the secular world will blaspheme God. You may think, that by partaking in worldly activities with others that you’re showing them that you are not “judgemental,” but this is a grave error, as this is the very reason they hate God. Do not be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2), do not give approval to the practices of the lost (Ro 1:32). It is not “judgemental” to speak the truth or walk a correct path. They are judgemental for hating the truth. It is our calling not to play the hypocrite and not to condemn ourselves in the process (Jd 4 NET).

    By your hypocrisy and crimes the pagan world is led to despise a religion which is observed to have no effect in purifying and restraining its professors; and of course the reproach will terminate on the Author of your religion - that is, the true God. A life of purity would tend to honor religion and its Author; a life of impurity does the reverse. — Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

1.3 Matthew 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. — Matthew 5:16 KJV

  • 1.3.1 Commentary

    Through your good works, the world will see the light of the kingdom, and your Father who is in heaven will be glorified simultaneously.0 This is similar to 1 Pet. 2:12 in that living a godly life gives convincing testimony of the saving power of God which brings him glory.mac



Sources & Citations

0 The ESV Study Bible has over 200+ biblical scholars (100+ ESV; 95 Study); 9 countries, 20 denominations, 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities, including Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, London, Japan, California, MIT, Duke, Westminister, Dallas, etc. 20,000 study notes, 80,000 cross-references, 200+ charts, 50+ articles, 240 full-color maps and illustrations. Textual Basis: Masoretic Text BHS ‘83, DSS, LXX, SP, S, Vg; UBS5, NA28. Many distinguished scholars including:

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1 The NET Bible: Full Notes Edition is a completely new, non-sectarian and “inter-denominational,” translation of the Bible with 60,932 translators’ notes, completed by more than 25+ of the world’s foremost biblical scholars from Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Sheffield, Columbia, Dallas, etc. This is the largest set of translators’ notes ever created. Textual Basis: Masoretic Text BHS [B19A(L)], DSS; NA28, UBS4. Many distinguished scholars including:

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2 The Expanded Bible (EXB) builds on the NCV which has 53 scholars, and expands inline, extraordinarily accurate and concise comments and literal renderings from the following scholars:

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3 The Faithlife Study Bible is a state-of-the-art study created for Logos Bible Software—the world’s most advanced biblical software—and is translation independent.

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4 The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, 165 scholars (100+ NIV; 65 Study); Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, California, London, Belfast, Claremont, Denver, Westminister, & Dallas.

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5 The NLT Filament Study Bible has over 90+ Scholars in translation from Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Columbia, Westminster, Dallas, etc. The study brings even more to the table. In addition to the NLT being the most readable Bible version on earth according to quantitative linguistic comparison of Bible translations using computerized statistical analysis, many distinguished scholars are worth noting:

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6 Commentary from NKJV Thomas Nelson Study Bible is also excellent even if I have moved from the textus receptus to the critical text, the study remains excellent. The NKJV translation has 177 Scholars, and the study includes many others. This was my study bible in my young adulthood.