©2002 Charles Darby
Cold, Lukewarm or Hot?
In this generation most everyone wants “bigger and better.” Those who have a small house want a bigger one. Most who have an inexpensive car want one more expensive. Most want a job that pays more money, all so they can “move up in the world.”
The underlying principle is these are not satisfied with where they are and want to improve their lot in this world. Christians will pray that God will bless them so they can fulfill their desires. This is not all bad, as we do need God's blessing on our life. It's when these desires get out of hand that we get out of God's will for our life. He and His kingdom must be first in our desires.
In my years of being a Christian and studying the Bible I have come to the conclusion there is a parallel in the spiritual for most, if not all, things in the natural. Why is it that most want to move up in the world to a more satisfying position and yet in the spiritual want to stay where they first started? What does Jesus say about this?
Rev 3:15-21 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. 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.
I have heard teaching and preaching that these were not saved. The scripture doesn't bear this out. They were in Jesus or He couldn't spue them out of His mouth. Jesus said they were part of the church. The church is His body. Verse nineteen says, “I chastise those I love.” He will chasten His own, not strangers. If He don't chastise us we are not legitimate sons. Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Verse twenty says He is knocking at the door so He can come in and fellowship with His own. He desires to sup, meaning chief meal of the day, with us. He prepares a table every day for His own. “Come and dine the Master calleth, come and dine.”
How did Jesus know these were lukewarm? By their works of course! Works are of utmost importance. The fruit of our life shows what we are.
These thought they had all they needed. They knew Jesus as their Savior. Somewhere along the way they had stopped growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. They decided they had all they needed. By this thinking their works were showing where they were. Jesus told them they were making Him sick to His stomach. They were lukewarm.
Dear reader, I haven't found a stopping place in my relationship with our Lord. I don't believe there is one this side of heaven. We should desire to know Him better tomorrow than we do today. Prayer, Bible studies and fellowship with our Lord will accomplish this. Those that are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
Sweeter gets the journey everyday! Let us, with all diligence, continue pressing onward to the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. I have not arrived but I am on my way!
Please notice the promise to sit with Jesus, in His throne, is to those who overcome. We are to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us. Why should we be overcome? Do it God's way. It's hard for an enemy that is fleeing to overcome us!
The lukewarm say they have all they want and are in need of nothing. Those who love Him are searching the scripture daily to see if they have missed anything. They seek knowledge, wisdom and righteousness to be more like Jesus. They hunger and thirst after Him. He is satisfying them daily.
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