Lukewarm
You want to know what I consider to be one of the most alarming (yet hopeful) verses in all of the bible?
Alarming… why? Because I look around me day after day and realize that I live in a virtual sea of lukewarm-ness. It is rampant. I see men, women, teenagers and children going about their daily lives in complete and utter complacency, paying absolutely no mind whatsoever to growing closer to God. In most cases, people are so distracted with just getting through their daily routines as quickly as possible so they can get back on the couch and watch some TV, that the idea of growing closer to God doesn’t even enter their stream of consciousness. Oh sure, some may go to church on Sunday (not every Sunday because sleeeeeeep), and they have a basic belief in God and Jesus and Mary and the virgin birth and all the Christianity 101 stuff. They might even know a few bible stories and most likely John 3:16. But beyond that, if you were to put them in a line-up with 4 other people who were all atheists and did a comparison of their Monday through Saturday activities, there would scarcely be a difference. That, my friends, is the definition of lukewarm.
Notice what the Lord says about those who are lukewarm. He is about to spit them out of his mouth. Like, whaaaat? That scares the (word of choice) out of me and it should do the same for you. As Americans, the majority of us want for absolutely nothing. We get angry when we have to stop at a red light or wait in a line at the grocery. We have so much food to eat that we sometimes throw out more than we consume. We have so many clothes in our closet that an entire year will go by without a repeat. At this point I think it is worthy to stop and make this point; PLEASE do not hear what I am not saying. This is not a blog post about death to material things and rich foods and extra money. For the love, please don’t let that be your take away. But also for the love, start taking it seriously when God says because you have all of those things in abundance and at the same time refuse to pursue ME, you are really just wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked people. His words, not mine. In America, we have every opportunity to freely pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ. In China, you could be killed for that. In America, we drive past about 5 places between our homes and the grocery store where we can purchase a bible. In North Korea, you could be killed for that. In America, we can worship and pray to God freely without fear of persecution. In the Middle East, you would most certainly be killed for that. In America where we have no fear of imprisonment or death, our worship is lukewarm. In other countries where the threat of imprisonment and death constantly surround them, their worship is an unstoppable fire. Heaven help us, we will be without excuse if we don’t wake up. We will be without excuse when God spits us out of his mouth because our laziness is so shameful to him. America, we will be WITHOUT excuse because we have been given every opportunity to read, pray, worship and grow in our relationship to God through his son Jesus, but we have refused because we’re too tired on Sundays.
Remember I also said hopeful. Why? Check out what God says to those whom he loves in the second paragraph above. That’s us too. The very same lukewarm people he was just talking to in the verses prior. Yep, he’s gonna discipline us for our laziness no doubt. And who can blame him? You do the same thing to your kids when they mope around and refuse to do homework without griping because they’re sooooo tired. So, let’s first agree to just humble ourselves and receive the rebuking. But then look what comes next! He is literally saying HERE I AM!! I am standing right here at the door to your heart knocking and if you let me in, I will be the best meal companion you have ever had! Not literally of course, but just stop and think for a minute about the best dinner party you have ever been to. The relationships built, laughs shared, tears cared for and connections made. That CAN be us with the creator of the universe! He’s just waiting for the invitation.
America, it’s time to commit. I mean, like no more lame excuses to why you can’t make it to your local worship service on Sunday. No more. You are NOT too tired and guess what, your kids will be just fine in the nursery. Yes, they may cry at first because that’s what all kids do, but if you will commit to making worship service your new norm EVERY week, guess what? They will get on board and it will become their new norm too. Oh, you’ve worked realllllly hard all week and getting up early on the weekend is just too much? Welcome to adult-hood. We are all tired. We are all over-worked. We all love to sleep. You are not unique in that department (and please refer to the “no excuses” part above). I am sorry, but the time for speaking softly is over. How much clearer does Jesus need to be than when he says in Matthew 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” These are not words for another time and place and to another group of people. These are words for today and they are words for us! He can not be more plain. Do not let your lukewarm-ness get you disowned before God when the alternative is so easily attainable.
I get it. All the things running through your head even now as you read this. I don’t want to be seen as a bible beater. I don’t want to sit in church on Sunday and feel guilt over the choices I made last night. I don’t want to have to change anything about myself because my life right now is pretty fun the way it is. What if I stop getting invited to places because people think I’m a weird-o? Jesus is going to ruin ALL of my weekend plans. Well, all I can say is I’ve been there too and have come out on the other side with more joy, contentment, purpose and fulfillment than I found in literally 10 years of partying in downtown Nashville. Your priorities will shift in time. Yes, your friendships may have to change. Yes, your choices will be affected. But whatever gets left behind will be gradually replaced by people, places and things that you can’t even imagine right now. God’s not going to promise to “come in and eat with that person, and they with me” and leave you unfulfilled. I can promise you that.
Just think about it is all I ask. Reach out if you want to go deeper. I am here and ready to help ignite your lukewarm flicker into a full-force, bright, burning flame.
Revelation 3:16-20
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Alarming… why? Because I look around me day after day and realize that I live in a virtual sea of lukewarm-ness. It is rampant. I see men, women, teenagers and children going about their daily lives in complete and utter complacency, paying absolutely no mind whatsoever to growing closer to God. In most cases, people are so distracted with just getting through their daily routines as quickly as possible so they can get back on the couch and watch some TV, that the idea of growing closer to God doesn’t even enter their stream of consciousness. Oh sure, some may go to church on Sunday (not every Sunday because sleeeeeeep), and they have a basic belief in God and Jesus and Mary and the virgin birth and all the Christianity 101 stuff. They might even know a few bible stories and most likely John 3:16. But beyond that, if you were to put them in a line-up with 4 other people who were all atheists and did a comparison of their Monday through Saturday activities, there would scarcely be a difference. That, my friends, is the definition of lukewarm.
Notice what the Lord says about those who are lukewarm. He is about to spit them out of his mouth. Like, whaaaat? That scares the (word of choice) out of me and it should do the same for you. As Americans, the majority of us want for absolutely nothing. We get angry when we have to stop at a red light or wait in a line at the grocery. We have so much food to eat that we sometimes throw out more than we consume. We have so many clothes in our closet that an entire year will go by without a repeat. At this point I think it is worthy to stop and make this point; PLEASE do not hear what I am not saying. This is not a blog post about death to material things and rich foods and extra money. For the love, please don’t let that be your take away. But also for the love, start taking it seriously when God says because you have all of those things in abundance and at the same time refuse to pursue ME, you are really just wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked people. His words, not mine. In America, we have every opportunity to freely pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ. In China, you could be killed for that. In America, we drive past about 5 places between our homes and the grocery store where we can purchase a bible. In North Korea, you could be killed for that. In America, we can worship and pray to God freely without fear of persecution. In the Middle East, you would most certainly be killed for that. In America where we have no fear of imprisonment or death, our worship is lukewarm. In other countries where the threat of imprisonment and death constantly surround them, their worship is an unstoppable fire. Heaven help us, we will be without excuse if we don’t wake up. We will be without excuse when God spits us out of his mouth because our laziness is so shameful to him. America, we will be WITHOUT excuse because we have been given every opportunity to read, pray, worship and grow in our relationship to God through his son Jesus, but we have refused because we’re too tired on Sundays.
Remember I also said hopeful. Why? Check out what God says to those whom he loves in the second paragraph above. That’s us too. The very same lukewarm people he was just talking to in the verses prior. Yep, he’s gonna discipline us for our laziness no doubt. And who can blame him? You do the same thing to your kids when they mope around and refuse to do homework without griping because they’re sooooo tired. So, let’s first agree to just humble ourselves and receive the rebuking. But then look what comes next! He is literally saying HERE I AM!! I am standing right here at the door to your heart knocking and if you let me in, I will be the best meal companion you have ever had! Not literally of course, but just stop and think for a minute about the best dinner party you have ever been to. The relationships built, laughs shared, tears cared for and connections made. That CAN be us with the creator of the universe! He’s just waiting for the invitation.
America, it’s time to commit. I mean, like no more lame excuses to why you can’t make it to your local worship service on Sunday. No more. You are NOT too tired and guess what, your kids will be just fine in the nursery. Yes, they may cry at first because that’s what all kids do, but if you will commit to making worship service your new norm EVERY week, guess what? They will get on board and it will become their new norm too. Oh, you’ve worked realllllly hard all week and getting up early on the weekend is just too much? Welcome to adult-hood. We are all tired. We are all over-worked. We all love to sleep. You are not unique in that department (and please refer to the “no excuses” part above). I am sorry, but the time for speaking softly is over. How much clearer does Jesus need to be than when he says in Matthew 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” These are not words for another time and place and to another group of people. These are words for today and they are words for us! He can not be more plain. Do not let your lukewarm-ness get you disowned before God when the alternative is so easily attainable.
I get it. All the things running through your head even now as you read this. I don’t want to be seen as a bible beater. I don’t want to sit in church on Sunday and feel guilt over the choices I made last night. I don’t want to have to change anything about myself because my life right now is pretty fun the way it is. What if I stop getting invited to places because people think I’m a weird-o? Jesus is going to ruin ALL of my weekend plans. Well, all I can say is I’ve been there too and have come out on the other side with more joy, contentment, purpose and fulfillment than I found in literally 10 years of partying in downtown Nashville. Your priorities will shift in time. Yes, your friendships may have to change. Yes, your choices will be affected. But whatever gets left behind will be gradually replaced by people, places and things that you can’t even imagine right now. God’s not going to promise to “come in and eat with that person, and they with me” and leave you unfulfilled. I can promise you that.
Just think about it is all I ask. Reach out if you want to go deeper. I am here and ready to help ignite your lukewarm flicker into a full-force, bright, burning flame.
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