I believe we go to church with more lukewarm Christians than we think. You may even be one of them if you fit the qualifications as it is written in Revelation, chapter 3. But before I get into what these people are like, let’s read for ourselves in God’s written Word. It reads, “and unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Revealtion 3:14-18) So we have people who are rich in the world, but not rich with God. People who find pleasure with earthly things like phones, computers, TVs, gaming consoles, cars, boats, having lots of money, and the like, while people around them suffer. They have what is good in the eyes of the world, but not in the eyes of God. Who could be helped instead of spending money on frivolous things? The homeless, widows, and people who struggle financially. We could be doing things to help them, but instead we do things for ourselves and our family instead.
These same people are often addicted to some substance, if it isn’t drugs or alcohol, it is pornography. And why can’t they break these addictions in their lives? It is because God is missing. They have not been humbled enough to see their need for a Savior. They got what they need, so they are happy. So it doesn’t matter that they go to church on the weekends. Without God working in their lives, they are lukewarm and not really for God and what He stands for. That is why the Lord, our God, will spue these people out of His mouth. Meaning, on judgement day, they may say to Him, “Lord, Lord, don’t you know I went to church. I believed in Your Name. So why am I not saved? I don’t understand.” Then, they will hear that God never knew them. They never made it a point to develop a relationship with Jesus in prayer, worship, and Bible study. Because they didn’t find time for such vital and important things, they could not be used for God’s kingdom. Therefore, they never made a point to go all in for God and are not saved. So as Jesus said, “as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:19-22) My friends, make it a point to start doing God’s will today. This is so important.
Let us pray:
Lord, I pray that we will become more selfless and less selfish. That we will be more willing to give than to receive. I admit that I am a sinner without Your presence in my life. Only when You are near can I resist temptation and do Your will instead. Without You my flesh is weak and I cannot help but fall into transgression and sin. Therefore, do I cling to You every hour and every minute of each day. I do not wish to grieve the Holy Spirit again but be led safely in this darkened world. I need Your light to guide me to safety, not paths that appear to be good on the outside. For all paths that don’t lead to You are filthy and therefore, make our lives filthy also. Oh, how tarnished our lives become when we have distanced ourselves from Your presence. I know what this is like and I cannot help but fall into past addictions. Satan sees that I am weak and goes at me with force that I might fall. Lord, I have seen what willful sins do to a person and am sorry. I am so shameful and guilty, while not knowing how to gain Your respect again. It is like I betrayed my best friend and have no idea how to restore the relationship I once had. Yes, God, I am lost without You. But it is so worth it when I fall down on my knees in all my confessions. I admit that I have wronged You and are not worthy of Your forgiveness. But then You run to me with open arms and I am not alone anymore. Your arms of mercy do come when I least expect it. Thank You for saving a wretch like me. I need You in my life, God. Without You, I am lost, just like anyone else in this world. So take hold of my life like never before. Lead me on Your righteous and holy path. I believe in You. I love You. Amen.
