The Writer of this Psalm had made a well thought out choice…a choice that had eternal consequences attached to it. I choose Godliness over godlessness, righteousness over lawlessness, and selflessness over selfishness. But too many Christians today want it both ways. It’s called being double-minded or lukewarm Christianity…of embracing equally the ways of God and the ways of the world. But we can’t have it both ways, for II Timothy 3:1-5 warns us, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power.” We can no longer get away with just having the “appearance” of being a Christian…choices need to be made.
Tag: lukewarm christians
Revelation 3:16 ” So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of My mouth.”
The biggest trap Believers fall into is complacency…especially if we’ve been a Christian for years. Our spiritual life has become very comfortable because we’ve picked and chosen bits and pieces of the Gospel that suit us. Our life in Christ has slowly become all about us – not others. We’ve become self-satisfied, tepid Christians with no enthusiasm to reach the lost…no thirst to get into His Word…no eagerness to share the Gospel. Complacency means we’re satisfied with the status quo, confident in our own salvation, but not really interested in anyone else. No wonder in this Scripture God is ready to spit lukewarm Christians out of His mouth…they have lost their first love…their zeal…their spiritual fervor. And to Him, they are worthless.
II Thessalonians 1:11 ” With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”
God’s mission is our mission. But sometimes we need to reclaim and recommit to that calling we made so long ago. Too many of us live in a world of comfortable Christianity. We’ve found this niche of self contentment in our walk with the Lord…we’ve plateaued and become lukewarm in our passion and dedication. So what can we do to rekindle the flame that once burned so bright for the lost? We can begin to live a missional life…one that is dedicated to spreading the Gospel to those God brings across our path…looking for opportunities to speak life into those lives that are lost. Reclaim God’s mission in your life today and see what can happen.
John 5:7 ” ‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ “
Something bad happens to us… what’s the first thing we usually do? We blame someone or thing for it. Blaming others rather than taking responsibility for the circumstances we find ourselves in is something we do rather well. I remember a saying that was popular years ago…”The devil made me do it!” No, the devil didn’t make you do anything…it’s all on you.
Revelation 3: 15-16 ” I know you deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of My mouth.”
Lukewarm Christianity is like a very limp handshake…it’s there, but not very effective. The Lord has some harsh words about lukewarm Christians…He’d rather have us totally cold towards the Gospel, than to ruin it with our mediocrity. Sometimes it just takes remembering our first love, to reignite that zeal and spiritual fervor we once had to serve Him.
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