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