Volume 25, Issue 4
WisconsinChristianNews.com
Page 21
Lukewarm Or Hot?
climate and if we are not truly separate from it God is outside the door of our heart knocking! A “hot” Christian is one like Cornelius. His life claimed God’s attention. He feared God with all his house and he was devout. He gave much alms to the people and he prayed always. Being a centurion, he had to be a man of affairs, but God was first in his life. Others came next and his whole household knew that he feared God and loved God and others. I doubt that there was one servant in his house that was disrespectful! His entire household heard Peter’s message and were anointed with the Holy Spirit. A hot Christian has God and His will first in his thoughts and he prays for God’s wisdom. He is a busy person because many needy people sur- round him. He is in constant communion with God because he loves God and others. Probably none but God knows how many alms deeds flow out of his heart of love. He is rich in good works. If he is rich materially, you probably will not know it because he lives simply and gives freely. He is kind to others, even to those that hate him. Why would anyone hate him? His righteous con- duct convicts others who do not live like he does. It condemns them and they hate him. Jesus said: “They hated Me before they hated you.” Even some of his brethren may become critical be- cause he “wastes” time and money on things that do not pay! The hot Christian loves God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. King David is an example of one who loved God dearly and walked and talked with Him. The many Psalms he wrote speak of one who walked and talked with God. We have another example of people who had God’s attention. God told Eli- jah that he had seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Joseph was a young man who had God’s attention. God was with him and prospered everything he did. He-
brews 11 is a running account of people who loved God and enjoyed a warm relationship. Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Every person holds the doorknob of their heart. Satan is inside with you and tells you that you do not want to open that door. Jesus will not force His way into your heart, but if you open it, He will prepare a feast for you that will be loaded with spiritual nourishment. It will be two-way communication that will bless your heart and life. When we allow Him to be our Friend, He will be a faithful friend and help us in all experiences we encounter in life. I am living in an affluent society. I fear that I may be more lukewarm than hot! I plead that God will look down on me with mercy, grace, and forgiveness; that He would help me to be content with simple living. I pray that God will give me eyes to see those that I can help. You each will need to make your own evaluation of your self. But be honest. What place does money have in your life? Is your life made up of little deeds of kindness to those around you? Are you kind to everyone in your family? To your neighbors? And poor people? Or has the affluent lifestyle made you hard to live with? Does the loss of money hurt you greatly? Do large profits make you feel real good and is it used selfishly? We may give large offerings but that is not the same as alms deeds. If we are not honest with our- selves, we may have an eternity to be sorry! Honesty opens the door of your heart and Jesus comes in to bless you with His presence and His peace and a knowledge of His will. Rod & Staff Publishers W6053 County Rd. X Withee, WI 54498 (715) 229-9400
By Isaac D. Martin August 2024
inventions. Those inventions are often a source of irritations and sometimes grief. Because peo- ple are enamored with the convenience, they ig- nore the misery and wretchedness. Some church people are poor because they have over- spent on “things” they could have been happier with out. Affluence makes many blind to their ac- tual condition. There is a spiritual poverty that often goes with affluence. People may be reli- gious but they do not have power and peace. There is also a blindness that goes with this. They become wrapped up in themselves and they do not see the opportunities to serve others. They do not see their need of Jesus every step of the way. That is why Jesus could not stand them and He cut them off from His children. However, He does stand outside the door and knocks in an effort to wake people from their blind condition. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Lukewarm people do not discover the gain of godliness. True godliness takes our mind off of convenience and keeping up with the times and remains focused on God and His goodness. God, in all His glory and power, is evident in all that surrounds us. And to allow ourselves to be enamored by what man is doing is a sinful de- parture from true worship of God. Lukewarm- ness is painfully evident in today’s religious
Laodicea was a lukewarm church. Read Rev- elation 3:14-22 to get the full story. God would rather have Christians that are hot. God can tol- erate people who are cold toward Him. But luke- warm Christians are unacceptable. In this article we want to consider the characteristics of luke- warmness and when is one hot. What made the Laodiceans lukewarm? “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Affluence often affects our thinking about God and material things. When God blesses religious people with material things, they have money to buy whatever they desire. In today’s world, con- venience carries a premium. It camouflages many realities. The accumulation of many things brings wretchedness. Conveniences wear out. They are taxable beyond the original cost. Main- tenance is constant. Manufacturers are always producing something better, more convenient. Rather than maintaining a worshipful respect for our Creator, they are intrigued by man’s “cre- ations!” Lukewarm Christians do not carry a heart full of adoration for God; they are worshiping man’s
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