There is only one verse in the Bible that mentions the word “lukewarm” to describe a person. Let’s read Revelation 3:15-16 where the Lord Jesus was speaking to those in the church of Laodicea, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (NKJV). The Lord Jesus is the Speaker here and He is describing those who PROFESS to be Christians. With His perfect knowledge of their words, works, and motives, He knows there were those who were “neither cold or hot.” To be “cold” describes one who has no passion in their heart for Christ; they may call themselves a Christian, but their hearts are “cold as ice.” They not only lack affections for Christ; they lack good works which would show evidence of being born again (see Ephesians 2:10). In addition to this, they would be openly antagonistic to Christ and the gospel. To be “hot” would mean one has a fervent zeal for Christ. We sometimes speak of Christians marked by a passionate zeal as being “on FIRE for the Lord.” Their love for the Lord and His people would be known to all by their words and actions, a real testimony to the new life they have in Christ (John 13:34-35; 14:15:23-24; 1 John 4:7-8, 20-21; 5:1-3). They would also be known for their love for lost sinners and wanting to see them saved. To be “lukewarm” puts one in-between these two conditions of “cold and hot.” The one who is lukewarm is not outwardly antagonistic to Christ, nor is he on fire for the Lord; he may be outwardly “religious,” but he is worldly, proud, self-absorbed, and self-righteous. When one speaks to them of Christ they are basically “indifferent” to Him; their focus is solely ON THEMSELVES. We see these characteristics in verse 17, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” This condition was so “nauseating” to the Lord that He says, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH.” This means He will ultimately REJECT THEM because of their indifference, worldliness, and lifeless profession. (Consider Matthew 7:21-23; 25:31-33, 41-46).

Now let’s read verse 17-18, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, POOR, BLIND, and NAKED—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be RICH; and white garments, that you may be CLOTHED, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may SEE.” These words clearly describe an unbeliever who is spiritually poor, blind, and naked in their sins. The Lord bids them to come to Him acknowledging their need of Him and He will make them spiritually RICH (2 Corinthians 8:9); He will CLOTHE them spiritually (Isaiah 61:10); and He will give them spiritual SIGHT (Acts 26:17-18). This teaches us that the “lukewarm Christian” is “not really a Christian.” They are Christian in name only, as we see in Revelation 3:1, “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” So, a “lukewarm Christian” is in fact a “contradiction of terms.” To be lukewarm is to be totally indifferent to Christ, independent of Christ, and in a future day rejected by Christ.

Having said that, the Lord does recognize that some among those at Laodicea were true believers, for He goes on to say in verses 19-20, “And as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This means our hearts can be “influenced by lukewarm conditions,” for we are all capable of becoming a “carnal Christian” (one who is being controlled by the “fallen human nature” in us…see 1 Corinthians 3:1-3) by associating with those who are truly lukewarm. The Lord loves us and instead of rejecting us He will seek to restore us to fellowship with Himself.  (DO)  (654.3)