Written by Rachel Smith
Have you ever looked forward to a steaming cup of coffee or an icy sip of sweet tea on a hot summer day, only to find your anticipated drink to be room temperature because you were distracted by other events? A grimace forms on your face before you even think about it. There is great disappointment and even disgust toward something that has lost its desired state.
In Revelation 3:15-16, John wrote in the letter from Christ to the church living in the last days, “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 [spew] thee out of my mouth.” What a gross picture that creates! God finds lukewarm Christians so offensive that He would forcefully purge Himself of them. There is nothing that repulses God more than the casually religious; those who are satisfied to live by a form of godliness but are never given to Him fully. Hebrews 12:29 tells us “our God is a consuming fire.” Acts 2:3 explains that the disciples saw “cloven tongues like as of fire” descend upon them on the day of Pentecost. These passages and so many more in the Word point to God being powerful, purifying, and transformative.
If we are truly saved, we will be filled with these same qualities. He has the ability to transform the heart in its entirety. As a result, we will not be able to help the fervent love that spills out of us. It will glow on our face and come out in our words. It will be reflected in attitude, in worship, in sharing the gospel with others. True Christianity is a fire that cannot be blown out by the forces of this world!
Christ said this of the last times in Matthew 24:12: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” As sin grows and multiplies around us, the warning is that those who have a fervent love for God do not turn indifferent or careless. Imagine a flame from a candle that is blown out. The wax that once was hot and fluid slowly turns solid and set, cold and unmoving. There is no warmth, passion, response, or care toward Christ or His body.
The apostle Paul warned Timothy, “…in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient, unthankful, unholy…” It is a stark assessment of our times. When self is all-important, the love toward God cools and many other sins follow, as we read in II Tim 3:1-5. There is no magic cure for lukewarmness. It takes a diligent, steady love toward God that will keep you away from apathy. In this time of great spiritual danger, we can fight against a lukewarm experience with God through some simple steps:
– Read God’s Word daily. Consistency is important. Study it well; out of it comes all wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 2:6-7 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
– Pray often through the day; commune with God. A mind filled with Him will not drift away. Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
– Seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Let go of desires and priorities that serve yourself. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
– Rely more on the Holy Spirit to guide you, even in small decisions. Ask Him before you make a decision. Isaiah 30:21 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
– Ask for counsel from a true pastor or godly friend, someone who will tell you the truth. Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
– Be a representation of Jesus Christ, in business, community, family, and church. I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
– Worship God faithfully, alone and with others. Take time to be in His presence, turn your thoughts to Him, and praise His name. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
– Share your personal story of Christ’s love and salvation with anyone you can. Tell how He changed your life and what He can do in their life. Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
– Love God more than anything or anyone. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
– Hear the preached Word and do it. Look into this mirror and see yourself as you are. James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
– Grow in your walk with God. Add to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love. Develop deep spiritual roots. Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
As II Peter 1:10 tells us, “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
