A Cry for Holiness

"I would rather you be hot or cold. Since you are neither, I will vomit you out of my mouth." ~Jesus~

Remember the last time you threw up? A wave of nausea came over you, and your stomach started to heave and then you chucked up your guts. It was an awful feeling and left you with a horrible acid taste in your mouth. Imagine what Jesus is saying when He is so sick of lukewarm "Christians" that he wants to vomit! Interesting that he would rather us be cold (spiritually dead and not in the church) than to be lukewarm (living with one foot in the church and the other in the world). Let's examine 3 areas...The definition of a lukewarm person, why they are so disgusting to God and how we can avoid falling into the trap of being lukewarm.

1. Definition of a Lukewarm Believer

When Jesus addressed the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3, the first thing he said is "I know your deeds!" He did not say, I know your heart (which he obviously did) or I know your motives but "I know your deeds." Popular theology today says that we are not to judge other in the church and this is precisely why we have so much hypocrisy in the church. If someone calls themself a Christian and yet wants to live like the rest of the unbelievers, we should be making a judgement call on this person and exhorting them to line up their life with the word of God.

Evidences of lukewarmness are...

1. Little or no respect for God's Word or places of Worship even though they attend church
2. Over emphasis on externals and little concern over the internal condition of the soul
3. Attending church (even being involved) but wanting the close friendship of unbelievers and consistently engaging in activities that contradict the word of God.
4. Living for Christ until asked to make sacrifice and then showing compromise

Some "Christians" actually see nothing wrong with attending movies where the Lord's name is used in vain, there is an excessive amount of horror and gore and/or sex. They say they are "mature" enough to handle it and it doesn't affect them. If it doesn't affect you, you have had your conscience seared and you are hard not mature. A mature believer knows to flee even the appearance of evildoing. To say that as long as you don't DO those things, just watch them it is ok. The Romans used to throw Christians to the lions, should the spectators have said it was ok to watch because they weren't actually the ones doing the killing? Some lukewarm people have an over-emphasis on appearing holy while they live a secret life of bitterness, gossip and disrespect for authourity. They appear to love the Lord but inwardly their hearts are far from Him and they are not obeying Him. Other Christians say they have Non-Christian friends to witness to them...unfortunately, many times the worldly friends are the ones doing the influencing. We can have acquaintance relationships with worldly people and there is no reason why we can't have affable conversations. Sooner or later, if you are truly sold out to Christ, there will come a dividing line in those relationships. Jesus said,"If the world hated me, it will hate you too." I take from this passage, if the world doesn't hate you, there is something wrong with your message. It is too liberal and watered down in order that you might be popular. Some people fall at this point because it is too hard to be a true Christian. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that you should provoke people to hate you for being a Christian. Rather, if you are truly sharing the gospel in an uncompromising manner, you will provoke people and stir up their consciences. Jesus made it clear when He said that NO man can serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other. If you love Christ, you must hate sin, not justify it.

2. Why are the lukewarm so disgusting to God? Even more than the cold!?

Many of the atrocities attributed to the Christian church have been committed by those claiming to be of Christ and yet seeking their own gain. Why do so many outside the church speak against it? Is not the number one complaint that most of the church are hypocrites? Even the world knows that Christians are supposed to be different than they are! I believe that it is so disgusting to God when those who are called by His name do evil consistently and still think that they are ok. At least if you are cold (a Non- Christian) and do evil, you aren't blackening His name in the eyes of the world. People who are lukewarm are double-minded (and shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord) and unstable in all their ways. They are constantly blown about by every new wind of doctrine and listen to whatever their itching ears want to hear. Churches are full of people claiming the promises but not living the life -they should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. You can claim the promises until you are blue in the face but every promise has contingent. Let's stop nauseating Christ and be the spotless Bride He is coming back for. As AW Tozer said," There are things that only God can do, and things only we can do. We could not die to save ourselves so God came as a man to take our sins upon Himself. However, God can not do our repenting for us. WE must make the decision to change and walk in obedience, God will not force us." Let's not imagine that after we become Christians, we can simply use Grace as a cover up for sin...remember the damage done to the kingdom of God will not go unpunished and one day, we will give an account for all that we have done.

3. How can we avoid the trap of lukewarmness

One of the greatest threats to our Christian walk is apathy. As Hebrews says,"How shall we escape if we NEGLECT so great a salvation?" Neglect, or the state of not caring for our salvation (which is to be worked out with fear and trembling) is a great danger. If we would avoid the trap of lukewarmness, we must stay hot. This takes a very proactive way of life that includes, studying (not just reading) the word of God, prayer (a TWO-way conversation with God), accountability with other believers (the church exists to encourage AND exhort [spur someone to do better]), and by being doers of the word not merely hearers.

Back to the first paragraph when Jesus said, "I know your deeds!" Your walk must line up with your talk and you must add talk to your walk. Having one without the other is hypocritical. You show your faith by your deeds and you glorify God by letting men see your good works and letting your light shine. However, the flip side is that you must be more than a good-living person, you must vocally share your faith and WHY you do good deeds. A cup of cold water has no value until it is given in JESUS' name.

Don't be ashamed of Christ but speak out boldly, just make sure your life lines up with what you are speaking. Jesus is calling His church back to holiness for without it no-one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)