I don’t think I feel the cold as much as most people that I know. And in Ireland, it doesn’t generally get too hot or too cold. I only really notice the cold in Winter when I want to sit or lie down and feel comfortable. A hot water bottle helps. Maybe they’re a bit old fashioned nowadays, but I like them 😀.
I find the rain more depressing, especially if it goes on for weeks, as often happens in Ireland 😫. Or muggy humid weather, which you often get in July and August. It has been unusually sunny over these last few weeks.
In the Bible lands, heat is usually more of a problem, which is why there are so many Bible verses that speak of the refreshment that water brings. For example:
John 7:37-38
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
And you’d really want a cool drink on a hot day, just as you’d really want a hot drink on a cold day.
Maybe the most well-known verses with “cold” in it is Revelation 3:15 where Jesus speaks about a specific church, but all Christians should examine themselves when they hear these words.
Rev 3:15-16
“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.”
So how should we understand this? Well, you’d like to clearly know who is a follower of Jesus and who isn’t. For example, you might respect someone who declares themselves an atheist, still hoping that they’ll become a believer. And if someone is enthusiastic to be a disciple of Christ, even if they fall far short of being perfect, you’d respect them too. But what about a person who is just a nominal Christian. They give very little consideration to God’s word or prayer or fellowship or spreading the message. They classify themselves as Christians, maybe because it’s a tradition in their country or whatever, or perhaps their family expects it of them.
It’s scary to think of how Jesus views such people. But at the end of that chapter, Jesus offers to come into their lives:
Rev 3:19-20
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
I’m not sure how many hymns have the word “cold” in them, but I can think of two:
Don't let my love grow cold
I'm calling out, light the fire again
Don't let my vision die
I'm calling out, light the fire again
1 Lord of the cross of shame,
set my cold heart aflame
with love for you, my Saviour and my Master;
who on that lonely day
bore all my sins away,
and saved me from the judgement and disaster.
Hibernia Gospel 