Once I had a life of a "3 Dollar Christian"; I was well dressed, neatly combed, wore a humble smile on a face and headed to church to 'worship' God on a Sunday morning. I held my head high as I was one of the great contributors the church being a part of church choir, singing sons that I never meant and considered myself as a 'Godly' girl! What a life!
I am sure that many who read this will ask what was wrong with me or many other who do the same. A simple answer - the heart. Though I appeared (or show cased) as a "Christian" girl, I never had a personal relationship with God. I could cover up my external appearances and actions, my heart was flooded with all sorts of fleshly pursuits and evil, until God chose to unlock my heart, cleanse it and lead it straight to Him.
How frustrating it would be! You think everything is perfect but it is not and never was! This is my thought of a lukewarm Christianity - you look but haven't looked enough, you pray but haven't prayed with your heart. We can see Jesus ridiculing the Scribes and Pharisees throughout the gospels for leading such a double life (Matthew 23)
We read of the term “lukewarm” in the book of Revelation as God speaks to the church of Laodicea saying:
“I know your 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.” - Revelation 3:15-16 NIV
Being lukewarm is thinking that you know your LORD, but your life does not show. Honestly, these verses were a tight slap on my face, but I was comforted when I understood God's grace and forgiveness. I asked for a healing and He did like how He extended to most of His followers like Peter (Luke 22:60-62). May I tell you my friends, the only way to deal with this dangerous condition of lukewarm faith is to look deep into your heart and honestly accept the truth of what you see, repent and confess your sins to God and accept the gift of salvation.
Jesus was not telling Laodiceans to earn their salvation through good works, infact no one can earn it no matter how much ever good deeds they do. Also, God's forgiveness is not short of no matter how many times you screw up. Still realization of this 'you have cancer' moment is pivotal to Christian faith. Ask the master healer to do a surgery and definitely He will. And you will never repent on your decision :)
God bless!
This was my life before meeting jesus i understood i cannot please god by attending church it could not save me from my addiction, broken marriage and deadbeat father jesus saved me God bless this author
ReplyDeleteDear Brother in Christ, May God heal your brokenness. As you said, may God use all of us for His purposes on earth.
DeleteTruly said. We need to have a personal relationship with God.
ReplyDelete