Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?

I am so privileged to be facilitating a wonderful Bible study at church this winter. It's called the Seven Hardest Things God Asks a Woman To Do. The authors are our precious friend Lisa Whittle and her darling Mom, Kathie Reimer. They took turns in writing the chapters. This was Lisa's first book--and ya'll, let me tell you...it's great! Kathie and Lisa did a wonderful job in listening to God for the topics and then writing...Wow! We just finished chapter two this morning. And, Lisa stepped on some toes!

Last Monday while preparing for Tuesday's lesson, God blessed me with my e-devotional that spoke directly about Chapter One's topic. I shared that with the ladies, and they loved it. Well, God truly has His hand in this. Yesterday, the other gal who is facilitating the study at night in her home sent me her Monday's e-devotional . Yep, He did it again! He is just so awesome! Another Monday devotional that not only mentioned the topic, but gave the exact same scripture reference that was in this chapter! I shared that with the ladies this morning too. Let me tell you, there were some wide-eyed girlfriends sitting around the table!! Loving this!!!

So, here's your question. Would you consider yourself a hot Christian--one on fire for the Lord at all times? A cold Christian--the love affair with the Lord has worn off? You are a Christian--you know that you have a place in Heaven after you die, so you're just going to sit back and watch--no action.you will give the Lord one hour a week on Sunday mornings...maybe. Or, are you a lukewarm Christian? You show apathy--a lack of excitement, emotion, or passion rather than the zeal for Christ that He so desires. You play it safe. In Rev. 3:15-16, Jesus is talking to the church in Laodicea. He describes them as apathetic. He says, " I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth."

That is NOT a pretty picture! Another version "softens" it by saying that Jesus "spits" rather than vomits. We're talking vile, stronger spit! Yuck! Jesus is so frustrated by this church's ho-humness, that He uses vomit to strongly get His word across. The commentary that I read even said that Satan prizes a lukewarm Christian more than a cold hearted sinner. That's one to chew on for awhile.

I don't know about y'all, but this chapter on God's intolerance of mediocrity among Christians really made me think! And pray! And read His Word a little deeper! I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian! I want my actions and words to show that I am striving to be a believer on fire for the Lord! Lisa's question at the end of the chapter is one that I'll leave you to ponder. Does living a life of mediocrity hinder God's plan for you and stifle you from what you should be doing? We need to ask the Lord to give us the strength and desire to be all He wants us to be.

Many Blessings,
Susan

9 comments:

Yolanda said...

Ouch. Pretty black and white, I'd say, wouldn't you?

Love to you,
Yolanda

Paula V said...

Do I have another option, another choice, can ya give me a choice "d". I can't honestly say I'm hot yet I don't want to say I'm lukewarm either.

Does living a life of mediocrity hinder God's plan for you and stifle you from what you should be doing? Absolutely, yes, I believe.

Great thoughts to ponder. That Lisa sounds like she did it again. Her second book/study we did was good also.

Toe stepping isn't always fun, huh, but it sure leads to growth or can if we let it.
Love ya,
Paula

KelliGirl said...

That verse in Revelations about being neither hot nor cold always grabs my attention. We have a choice and lukewarm isn't one of them. Pretty black and white, huh?

I'm prayiing God continues to bless your study abundantly!

B His Girl said...

Hi,

2 Chron 16:9 is a favorite verse of mine and I think it is connected to your post. God wants to show Himself STRONG in our lives and a lukewarm or cold heart does not work with that. We all need to check our temperature. Thanks for posing the question. It sounds like a great book to ck out.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I don't have this book of Lisa's, but have read her "Behind the Eyes." Sounds very challenging and real.

I'm struggling with the question today. I believe in its worth...in knowing that I need to be on fire for God, but there is sometimes the disconnect on how to get there. I just keep pressing into his Word in obedience and pray for the fire to stay kindled. It's a constant pursuit, one that I don't always do so well, but one that I believe will yield the warmth of God's breath on my neck and the truth of his Word echoing through my mouth.

That's a hot day for me, and sister, I sure could use one.

Thanks for the recommendation.

peace~elaine

Kelly said...

Wow, I've heard this verse before but always as "spit" not vomit. Eww. The thing is we all deserve to be Jesus' vomit, but he is redeemed us to instead be "bride", be joint heirs with him. Can you imagine all he did for us? And we repay it with lukewarm-ness. forgive us Father!

Sharon Sloan said...

Well, God's Word is plain truth. Oh, how I want to be hot...not cold or lukewarm! I love Him holding me in His arms...not the alternative! :) Thank God for His amazing grace!

Anonymous said...

Hi there!... I got mine at lowes. Corbels that is, smile. Have a great day my friend!

Joyful said...

My desire is to be hot. As I think back to the New Year and the post I wrote, "Unsettle Me Too" - I don't want to fall into complacency. I want to be so on fire for Him that my passion ignites a burning desire in others to follow hard after Him.

Great thoughts here Susan. Thrilled to know that your Bible study is going so well and that God is providing!

Love & prayers,
Joy