I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:19
There are two different types of people at a race. There are those who run their races well, with all their strength and endurance, and those who sit on the sidelines. I must admit that I would prefer to sit on the sidelines, watching and cheering the athletes as they run the race. I would also happily sign up to walk the race. There is one race, however, that we followers of Christ are called to run, that we must not sit on the sidelines, or even walk, and that is the race of faith that we are all called to not just participate in, but to run. In the race of faith, each one of us must confidently, boldly, and purposefully run, making the very most of the time we are given here on this earth.
Revelation 3 is a call for followers of Christ to run the race of faith rather than stay on the sidelines. In this passage of Scripture, John recorded a message from Jesus to a church in Laodicea filled with Christ followers. Here is what the message was: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other” (verse 15). What Jesus is describing here is a church that is lukewarm. During the weekend message, we heard that during this time, hot water was synonymous with therapeutic healing, and cold water was the ultimate refreshment in a world without refrigeration. Both hot and cold water carried importance. Lukewarm water, on the other hand, did not carry healing elements, nor did it bring the refreshment of cold water. The people in the church of Laodicea were clearly on the sidelines of the race of faith that every follower of Christ has been called to run. As Jesus addressed the lukewarmness of the church of Laodicea, He said, “since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (verse 16). Jesus was clearly not impressed with the church’s behavior. As a result, he was calling members of the church of Laodicea in this passage of Scripture to start running in the race of faith that all Christ followers are called to run. It was not too late to get back in the race.
The first step in getting back in and running the race of faith for the church in Laodicea was repenting of their lukewarmness. Jesus said it this way as His message in Revelation 3 continued, “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference” (verse 19). In other words, Jesus, who loved the church of Laodicea, called them to turn away from apathy and run with diligence the race of faith, committing to know Him and make Him known.
How remarkable that God loves His children enough to discipline and call us to repent when we sin, including when we live with lukewarmness in our faith. The question is, will we recognize our indifference and live differently? Will we get off the sidelines and run?
Moving Toward Action
When it comes to the race of life that God has called you to, how have you been sitting on the sidelines? Maybe you have neglected your prayer life and found yourself praying only when you need something from God, rather than praying to grow in your relationship with Him. Perhaps you have yet to take a step of faith and sign up to use your gifts to serve at Sagebrush. It could be that you have not made an effort to reach out to those who are lost and in need of the hope of Christ. Confess any lukewarmness to God today, and ask Him to help you let go of apathy and run the race of faith with endurance.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I remember Your warning against lukewarmness in Revelation 3, I confess…”
Going Deeper
Revelation 3:1-16
1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
