Revelation 3:14 - "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.’"

First, we know the Lord Jesus is telling us the truth. Anything that he has to say on any subject is accurate. He is the One God raised from the dead, and he would not have done that, if Christ was a liar. Romans 1:4 - "and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” He put away sins, just like he said, lived a perfect life, and we are wise to follow him. His promises beyond the grave, both of judgment and mercy, are true. He is the faithful One who saves as promised.

Put your whole reliance upon him. Don’t think around him or twist his words. Don’t find a way out. Look for what he says, and then practice it! Seek the true meaning.

Secondly, he wants us either cold or hot. Revelation 3:15 - "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!" He doesn’t want us halting between two positions! If Baal is God, then follow him. If it is the Lord Jesus, then follow him fully. He doesn’t want us taking his name in vain - claiming Christ and living in sin. He’ll spew this horrible compromising spirit out of his mouth; it is highly offensive that we’d claim to love Christ and live for ourselves… that we’d claim his atonement and not honor him.

Be all out with zeal. Being cold will end you in hell, but you can repent, because you know you are wrong. Being hot is following him passionately, and we want this to increase. 2 Timothy 1:6 - "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” The blessing is in obedience and the zealous life: it is not living worldly, but consecrating ourselves to Christ that gives us joy. Live by the Spirit through the merits of the Son. Keep his commands, and abundant living is yours. John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." If we are walking by faith, then we have joy and peace. We can’t walk rightly and the Spirit does us wrong, refusing to comfort us as promised.

Thirdly, you’ve got doctrine, but you don’t have Christ. Revelation 3:17 - "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."

You have money in the bank, but no zeal for Christ. You no longer attend a false church, but your heart's not in a true one. You know terms like Reformed, and God is sovereign, but they make you lazy. You talk about justification but despise good works. Your money, time, and mind are your own. You’re as worldly as unbelievers. You lust, backbite, and gossip. You don’t have God’s peace, so you pursue activities and leisure. You are a worldling with a Sola Scriptura sweater that you are ashamed to wear. You are a fraud, hiding behind Facebook piety, while you pursue the world.

The Lord Jesus knows. He sees you without faith, joy, and love. You don’t live for the kingdom: everything is for you. We will not sacrifice for Jesus, unless we are warmed by the Spirit to keep the gospel a flame. 2 Timothy 1:14 - "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." It can die out, and the doctrine be in the head. Love for the saints is lacking. There is no joy in evangelism; it is a morbid duty to appease the conscience. There is no power by Jesus’ blood and the Spirit; it is the fleshly struggle to be religious.

Oh, I’ve been there. Watch out! Is this you? You are in danger. You may or may not be a Christian. You have fallen asleep and must wake up, or you are dead! Ephesians 5:14 - "For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you."" Sleeping or dead, we need repentance! This condition can’t continue. What if Christ comes back, and you’re unready? Matthew 24:50 - "the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know" What if you fall further and never come back? What if your works really evidence a spiritual deadness that angers Jesus Christ? What if he spews you out?

No, make your election sure! 2 Peter 1:10 - "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." Add good works to your faith. 2 Peter 1:5 - "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge," Grow in zeal and in love. Grow in self control. Do this by CONFESSING your sins. Tell Christ that you are lukewarm and putrid. Tell the Savior that you want back in his bosom, and you want to obey from the heart. Tell him that you want devotion that you can’t do yourself, and trust him to give it to you.

Yes, repent. Revelation 3:19 - "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent." This act of God’s love calls us to repentance.

People are terribly wrong to think that love only says sweet nothings, as if rebuking a child is unloving, or correcting a person is wrong. Proverbs 13:24 - "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." True, we can be cold and critical, but not Jesus! When he exposes our sins, it is for good; it is because he’s graciously calling us back and delivering us from danger. He sends the fire of his law to help us enjoy the ointment of his gospel. He corrects everyone he loves and stings the heart.

Love sent a preacher to correct me - to look me in the face and say, “Take off the mask.” Love sent me to look at my life, like the ghost of Christmas past, and see what I have ruined. Love made us feel our shame and guiltiness. Don’t draw back. Don’t say, “I won’t be spoken to this way!” Matthew 15:27 - "She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."" Receive your place as a dog, because dogs obtain mercy. Faithful Caleb makes it in because he had another spirit that thought much of Christ and nothing of himself.