Lukewarm

"I know all the things you do, 

that you are neither hot nor cold.

I wish that you were one or the other!

But since you are like lukewarm water,

neither hot nor cold,

I will spit you out of my mouth!

You say, 'I am rich.

I have everything I want.

I don't need a thing!'

And you don't realize that you are wretched

and miserable and poor and blind and naked!

So I advise you to buy gold from me--

gold that has bee purified by fire.

Then you will be rich.

Also buy white garments from me

so you will not be shamed by your nakedness,

and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

I correct and discipline everyone I love.

So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Look!  I stand at the door and knock.

If you hear my voice and open the door,

I will come in,

and we will share a meal together as friends.

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne,

just as I was victorious

 and sat with my Father on his throne."

Revelation 3:15-21 NLT

The game was simple: choose one side and show allegiance to your team by trying with all your might to tag as many members of the other team as possible, freezing them in order to render them as helpless.  The first team to immobilize all members of the enemy team wins.

As the kids ran around the field, though, I soon noticed one girl who seemed to be tagging anyone she could get her hands on.  "Beverly, which team are you on?"  I asked, trying to get her back on track.  She replied, "Oh, I don't want to pick teams.  I'd rather just run around and freeze whoever I can."

Just as it is important while playing this version of freeze tag to choose a team, so it is vital to my walk with Christ to likewise pick a side.  Jesus hates the middle!  He wants me to stake my claim, choose my side, pick my team.  To stay neutral or in the center, between Him and Satan, angers Him.  Perhaps this is because sitting on the fence is really a choice against Jesus and for the Enemy. (Matthew 12:30)   

It is sobering to think that I may exhibit this kind of indifference in some ways I didn't realize.  Let me take an objective look at the way I live my life.

Blended

They believed a little bit of everything.  If it sounded good to them, they would incorporate it into their belief system.  The Samaritans gathered together idols like some collect tea cups or stamps.  To them, every religion was equal and more of the same.

For this reason, among many, the Jews abhorred the groups of people who inhabited an area in the northern kingdom of Israel.  As a people group who were always taught about purity and staying loyal to the One True God, this kind of openness was repulsive to the Israelites.  As much as I understand about God's jealous nature, I still tend to drift toward a similar kind of unfaithfulness as I live in a world not so different from that of the Samaritans.

Talk show hosts spout words of worldly wisdom which sound good to my itching ears and I take it in as truth. (2 Timothy 4:3)  Instead of using the spirit of discernment which comes from honing my relationship with my holy Father, I rely on my own understanding and believe everything that appeals to my flesh.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The moment a sickness rears it's ugly head, I begin researching possible causes and never think to go to the Great Physician and seek His healing.  When a new television show sounds intriguing, I get hooked with nary a thought toward the effect it may have on my heart.  (Proverbs 4:23)

I am lukewarm when I blend into the world around me instead of taking purposeful steps toward staying true to my God.

Independent

  I used to think one of the most important traits to instill in my daughters was a spirit of self-sufficiency.  When they were young, I looked forward to the day when they could do things for themselves; wash their own clothes, prepare their own food and drive themselves to where they wanted to go.  

Once the girls reached the teenage years, however, God impressed upon me the importance of teaching them dependence.  Not a reliance on me and my husband, but a complete trust in their heavenly Father as the One who is able to supply all their needs.

To take this lesson to heart for myself, I need to drop the modern idea of autonomy and individualism.  Instead of looking to my own abilities and resources to provide for myself, I would do well to picture myself as a little girl who lives without worry as she looks to her rich and powerful Daddy to lavishly adorn her with good things.  In this way, I will live in the kind of relationship my Father intended for me.

In the place of going after what I think I need, I can instead focus on God's kingdom and on living in a way that pleases Him.  As a result, the Lord who knows my needs better than I will perfectly shower me with goodness. (Matthew 6:31-33)

I am lukewarm when I exhibit an independent spirit instead of looking to my Father as the Source and Supplier of all I need.

Not Ready

My husband went to pick up the daughter of a friend of ours but she was not ready when he arrived.  He had to wait as she gathered up all her necessities for an overnight stay, making him precariously close to being late for a class he was scheduled to teach.  This young lady almost missed out on this planned time with our family because she had not been paying attention to the time and was not prepared for my husband's arrival.

I am not so different from this adolescent girl.  I get so caught up in my day-to-day activities that I forget that Jesus could come back at any time.  Am I ready?  Instead of watching for Him in eager anticipation, I tend to get comfortable in this world.  

When I settle in here, making this place my home, I become blinded to the work of God's hand all around me and instead focus on my own fitness.  Instead of seeing myself as the sinner in need of the grace of God that identifies me to Christ, I start comparing myself to others and judge myself as not so bad.  

Rationalization of my areas of sin soon follows and before I know it, I'm trapped in a stronghold of sin.  In order to stay in a state of readiness, I must always keep my sin before me, realizing my desperate need for Jesus.

I am lukewarm when I get comfortable with my sin instead of realizing my state of nakedness before a Holy God.

There is no doubt that Jesus hates the position in the middle of the road;  He'd rather I choose sides.  While I may think I've staked my claim, a thorough examination of my life may come up with a different conclusion.  My tendency to blend into this world, to live independently and my state of un-readiness reveals the truth:  I am in danger of being lukewarm.  Whose side will I choose this day?

As I begin this day may I intentionally choose Jesus.

When do I drift along instead of swimming purposefully toward my Lord and Savior?

How do I rely on my own resources instead of God's?  

Knowledgeable Zeal

"Brothers,

my heart's desire and prayer to God

for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God,

but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

Since they did not know the righteousness

that come from God

and sought to establish their own,

they did not submit to God's righteousness.

Christ is the end of the law 

so that there may be righteousness

 for everyone who believes."

Romans 10:1-4

His love for exercise combined with his passion for helping people made it an obvious choice:  He would open a gym.  His enthusiasm was infectious and soon the membership grew, fueling his excitement.  Ideas flowed as he brainstormed with his friends.  Soon, he trusted that business would improve and he would be able to expand.

Unfortunately, this man's zeal was not enough.  He possessed the passion and understanding of his field of interest, but lacked business know-how.  Success in the business world takes more than just enthusiasm and a good idea, it also takes knowledge.

The same could be said for my Christian walk.  I can feel much excitement about what Jesus does for me in redeeming my life, giving me hope for eternity with Him, and offering a greater purpose for my days.  I may want to shout it from the rooftops:  "Jesus loves me. . .and He loves you too!"

My enthusiasm, though, is not enough.  If I don't seek to know God's ways by studying His word and listening to His teachings, then my zeal may be based on fallacy which results in ungodly fruit.

Works

I grew up thinking that if I worked hard enough, good things would come my way.  I learned from my parents, teachers and other trusted adults that I could change the world if only I exerted enough effort.  With this kind of work ethic ingrained in my being, I began my walk with Jesus.  Trying to apply this same philosophy in God's kingdom, however, only put me at odds with Him.

Instead of thinking my service to God makes me right with Him, I must understand that I am saved by grace.  There is nothing I can do to earn God's grace:  It is freely given out of love for me.  Keeping my true identity as a sinner incapable of saving myself helps to guard against my inclination to judge others.

Another fallacy is the belief that if I work hard enough, my efforts will counteract all the times I ignore God's gentle, quiet voice, nudging me away from destructive patterns that conradict His teachings.  My ministries, volunteer commitments or good deeds will never take away my sin: Only the blood of Jesus can accomplish such a feat.  Understanding this truth will guard against my tendency to commit myself to activities out of a sense of guilt instead of as a response to my Father's call.

Other times I get caught up in the idea that life is like a formula; if I do "A" and "B" then I will get "C."  God, however, is sovereign and His plan for my life may or may not follow this pattern.  I cannot begin to understand the mind of God.  As He said through the prophet Isaiah, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. . . As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Grasping the mysterious nature of God will help to guard against frustration when things don't go the way I think they ought.

Coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge of the love and grace God extends to all will result in the works of His mighty hand in my life.

Unrepentance

"I am sorry for disrupting the community movie night and not listening to you.  I know I made it hard on you and I wanted to let you know that it will never happen again."  The boy's apology sounded good.  At first, I was so impressed with his heartfelt confession and pledge to do better.  Unfortunately, I later realized these were mere words meant to impress his mother and I.  Soon, he was back to his old, trouble making behavior.

Recognizing myself as a sinner who has violated God's commands is only part of the package deal of committing my life to Christ.  The other part is in my repentance from my sinful ways.  This doesn't mean I will always think, speak and act perfectly.  What it does mean, however, is that I have turned away from my old ways and made up my mind to follow Jesus instead.

Many times, though, my life remains unchanged.  I continue to live as though I am still my own boss, not paying attention to where Jesus is leading me.  I am too caught up in my present way of living and too comfortable to give up any of those activities, habits and ways of thinking that run counter to God's ways.  Understanding that change is necessary as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ will protect me from looking just like the world.

Another danger is when I hear God's gentle voice convicting me to modify my thought patterns, end the use of offensive words, or stop taking part in ungodly behavior, but I simply ignore Him.  If I really comprehended how my obedience is linked to my love for Jesus, then I would be able to live the holy life to which I am called. (John 14:15, 1 Peter 1:15)

Still other hazards lurk in the belief that my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus so I don't need to make much of a big deal about these transgressions that abound in my life.  Taking the free gift of salvation that is offered through Christ means that I also accept the redemption His blood makes possible.  As I enter into relationship with God, then, His holiness makes my unworthiness all the more evident.  Living with an appreciation of God's view of sin as an affront to His perfect nature means I, too, will see my sinful ways as abhorrent.  Gaining such insight will keep me from turning the invaluable gift of grace into something cheap and easy: It cost Jesus His life!

Coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge of the importance of repentance leads to humility  and a desire to live in obedience to my Lord.

Lukewarmness

He was everything to everybody: Warm and engaging to those who wanted compassion, tough and hard-as-nails to those who desired results, and funny and entertaining to those who merely wanted to feel good.  Consequently, it was hard to know what this man really believed:  This politician didn't stand for anything.

In many ways, it is easy for me as a follower of Christ to retain the same attitude.  The danger here is that my lukewarmness will be an affront to God. (Revelation 3:16)

One hazard of living on the fence is in my outlook: When it comes to Jesus, I am neither hot nor cold; I can either take Him or leave Him.  I'm glad He saved me from eternal death, but I just don't feel the urge to tell anyone about Him or to live in a way that please Him.  I feel guilty about this fact, but I sometimes think that task belongs to someone better trained to do it or who is more gung-ho than I.  If I would realize that either I am working for Christ or against Him, "apathy" would never again be a word used in the same sentence as my name. (Matthew 12:30)

Another danger is in becoming desensitized to sin.  I am continually surrounded by sinful living.  I begin to think, Sin doesn't really seem like that big of a deal, after all, its my nature, right?  To guard against this numbness toward sin, however, I will need to understand the just nature of God.  In His eyes, just one of my sins earns me the electric chair.  Therefore, I cannot afford to carry a relaxed and easy-going attitude toward sin without offending God.

Another risk is in finding myself to feel content with the knowledge that I will go to heaven when I die.  If I stay in my comfortable place where I am never confronted with the reality of the millions who are lost, I may never care about the unsaved.  To protect against this kind of indifference, I must look beyond my own salvation and expand my vision.

In coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge that there is no middle of the road when it comes to Jesus, my lukewarmness will turn to fire.

Passion for Christ is not enough to live a fruitful life.  To guard against ungodly fruit, I will need to understand that I can't work my way into God's favor nor can the grace He offers be taken lightly.  I also will need to guard against apathy which naturally occurs when I don't choose a side.  As I base my faith on the Truth, however, I will find a passion that will grow and I will begin to encompass a larger view as my zeal is no longer empty, but rooted in godly knowledge.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can guard against fallacies that lead to empty living.

How do I carry an indifferent attitude toward sin?

In what ways do I think my efforts will counteract my sin?