Like warm or lukewarm?

"So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3.16

John William Fletcher was a Swiss-born English divine of the 18th century. He had a rare gift for both spiritual insight and the ability to express what he saw in terms which his parishioners could understand. A contemporary of the Wesleys and other pioneers of the evangelical awakening sweeping through England, Scotland and America, he was also their interpreter to a sometimes bemused public.

In a letter to his congregation in 1775, Fletcher explained the difference between seeing with our physical eyes and seeing spiritually. Referring them to the Gospels of the New Testament, he drew their attention to how unimpressed Jesus' enemies were with his miracles and teaching. Only those who believed in him perceived these gestures for what they were: evidence of his being the Son of God and Saviour of the world.

Our own reaction to Jesus reveals which side of the fence we happen to be on. If we are embarrassed to express our faith publicly and if we look down scornfully upon those whom we deem to be over-enthusiastic in theirs, then our faith is not really faith at all. We may go through all the motions and even enjoy attending church but we are only perceiving the outward form of religion and have not allowed its proclamations to penetrate our heart.

Now the apostle John records Jesus saying just a few verses on from the one quoted above: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..." (Revelation 3.20) And when that happens there can be nothing lukewarm about our faith any longer! Inviting Jesus into our hearts is the key to authentic and effective faith because he opens our spiritual eyes to what our physical eyes cannot see - and that changes everything.

Have you been keeping Jesus outside, waiting on the doorstep of your heart? Well its cold out there and you are probably feeling cold inside as well. So take him at his word and invite him in...