Don't Be 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! Revelation 3:15-16

When I feel led to write these types of messages I tend to want to resist the Word that is on my heart. This comes from a fleshly desire to be liked, not to offend anyone, or to hurt feelings. Most of all I do not want anyone to feel judged. However, I must be obedient to this prompting because I desire more to please God. I pray with all of my heart that the Spirit of the Lord would convict your heart if you are in need of correction. May this be a loving nudge to get you back on to the narrow road. May His Word which is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cut between our soul and spirit, between joint and marrow and expose our innermost thoughts and desires. May He give us a willing heart to receive His correction remembering that our Lord corrects and disciplines everyone He loves. In Jesus name amen. (Galatians 1:10, Matthew 7:13-14, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 3:19)

Christ is not weak when He deals with us. He may be slow to anger and slow to wrath but He does get angry. Just look at what He says to the lukewarm Christians above in Revelations 3. Does He sound pleased with their behavior? He is a God of justice and order. He is pure and holy and we are supposed to be just like Him. We must live as God’s obedient children. Not slipping back into our old ways of living to satisfy our own desires. We are called to be imitators of our Father and imitators of Christ Jesus. We are in a time of grace. He is allowing people time to repent and turn back to Him. That is why He has not returned yet. His kindness is meant to lead all of us to repentance. (2 Corinthians 13:3, Exodus 34:6, Isaiah 61:8, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:13-17, Ephesians 5:1, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4)

Our Lord has gone to prepare a place for us. We can not even imagine the good things He has prepared for us. In the meantime we as Christians (followers of Christ) are supposed to be about our Father’s business preaching the Gospel, sharing our testimonies, and glorifying Christ Jesus with our words, actions, and good deeds. That is our purpose in this world. That is God’s will for us. If we are not doing this then our faith is dead. ( John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Matthew 28:19-20, James 2:26)

He gave us His Word so that He could teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip us to do every good work. So are we making the most of every opportunity to do good works? Are we being careful how we live our lives? Are we being about our Father’s business? ( 2 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 5:15-16)

There are many believers that are neither hot nor cold. They have become complacent in their walk. They have allowed their contact with the world to taint them. Now they justify their sin and compromise their faith to fit into to society. They have become stumbling blocks to others. They love the world and the things it offers them. They are more committed to serving their own physical selfish desires than serving Christ. They have forgotten that when we love this world we do not have the love of the Father. We are not to love this evil world! (Romans 12:2, Romans 14: 13, 1 John 2:15-17)

We need to examine ourselves. Examine if our faith is genuine. Test ourselves. And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he want us to? Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. (2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 2:3-6)

How did Christ live? Christ taught the people God’s Word, preached “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”, He made disciples, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, encouraged others, corrected and rebuked, prayed and fasted, feed the poor, loved and had compassion for people, and laid down His life for His friends. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works..” Are we doing these works? What kind of fruit are we producing? (John 14:12, Matthew 7:15-20)

It was evident in Jesus’ life that He loved God because of the works that He did. He has given us the same Holy Spirit that gave Him power and ability so that we could be doers of the Word, not to just say that we are believers. Believing is useless without doing what God wants us to. Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith. Anyone can see where our faith lies by the way we act. How are we acting? Are we doers or just hearers? (James 2:20, James 2:18)

Our Lord’s return IS near and we are supposed watch and be ready for his return with our lights burning bright for Him, our lamps full of oil, and properly managing all that He has entrusted to us. We must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Until then He expects us to be faithful servants diligently serving Him and bringing glory to His name by the way that we live and treat others. Are we faithful servants? (Matthew 5:14-16, 25:1-13, 24:45-51)

So let us be diligent and turn from any indifference. Let us be filled with the Spirit and full of the Word of God. Let us fan into flames the gifts that the Lord has given us to build up the church and preach the Gospel to the lost. Let us not be lukewarm but instead let us be on fire for Christ Jesus. Let us feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite a stranger into our home, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. Let us live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let your life be an offering to God the kind that He can accept, pure and holy. (Revelation 3:19, Ephesians 5:2, 2 Timothy 1:6, Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 5:2, Romans 12:1)