Lukewarm

Revelation 3:15-18
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

This is the letter to the church of Laodicea.  Laodicea was the wealthiest of all the cities that Jesus addressed in Revelation.  It was known for its banks, commerce, clothing and medical school that invented the salve that they put on their eyes to cure diseases.  Although it was rich, it had a poor water supply.  An aqueduct had been built to bring water to the city from a hot spring, but by the time it reached the city it was neither hot nor cold it was lukewarm and full of impurities that made it taste terrible. 
I have been doing a study of the book of Revelation.  After reading the seven letters to the churches, this is the letter that sounded so familiar to the country we live in today.  The Laodiceans had everything but Jesus.  They were so prideful in their money and science.  They carried the attitude that they did not need God.  I find this is the same attitude as most of America.
I was thinking today about verse 16... bear with me but I was thinking about lukewarm water.  I started thinking about bacteria growth in lukewarm water so I researched it a little and found that most bacteria thrives at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees.  How interesting... also as most know, when you freeze water it slows the growth of bacteria and of course, when you boil it it kills the bacteria.  So Jesus was referring to the spiritual state of the church when he told them that they were lukewarm.  Is it any surprise that the creator would know this fact when he made this statement?  Bacteria wasn't first observed until 1676 by  Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (sorry I had to copy and paste that brothers name lol).  So you ask Melissa where are you going with this? Okay, my heart is so broken over the "lukewarmness" of the majority of churches in this country!  We need an awakening!! Why is it so rare to find a believer who bears the name of Christ and actually lives for him?!  I am not trying to be judgemental or condemning but growing up in the Bible belt where everyone is a Christian because they attend church every Sunday and then go out and live like the devil the rest of the week is the most detrimental thing to the Church of Jesus! It is like a breeding bacteria that turns more nonbelievers away from Christ than anything else.  If your heart is cold to God and you are a self-proclaimed non believer then other non believers know that and are not surprised when you don't live like Christ.  When one is on fire for God and is completely surrendered to Christ.. every bit of their being is consumed with Christ and walking in the Spirit.. in truth and love.. they are magnetic and bring God glory. They don't resemble the rest of the world.  However, those that say they are Christians.. they say that they know Him yet live and look just like the rest of the world are a poison to the church.  When someone who does not know him, sees this type of "Christian" they say "Why in the world would I need that?" Can I say I do not blame them?!  As I said before, I am not trying to be condemning but come on people wake up!  This is not a game and you are being a hindrance.  Its not about you or me.. its about Christ and people are hurting and need Him.  Stop playing games.
Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
I believe the gold he is referring to is "knowing him".  The more fire we endure the more our hearts are refined and the closer we become to the Father.  He burns away all of "us" and gives us all of Him.  Praise you Jesus! Thank you!
Secondly, I believe the white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness is His grace.  We are all shameful and naked until we are washed in the blood of Christ and instead of wearing our old flesh He gives us the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.. as Luke Allen calls it the "new man". Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy!  Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit! Best outfit I have ever owned! (and it was free!!!!)
Lastly, the salve is the wisdom of God.  Only God can give you the eyes to see Him.  The wisdom that only comes from Him. Ask Him to reveal the secrets of His heart.. He will. "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding!" Proverbs 2:6
We believers are all in the refining process but thank you God you gave us the Holy Spirit :)