To Be Least
"For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." (Luke 9:48)Sunday, May 23, 2004
More Thoughts on Lukewarm Christians
I was thinking about what it means to be a lukewarm Christian during the night and this thought came to me.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a Christian that is not "hot" is this. They are not growing in the Lord. Then when I read this verse it seems to me that deeds have something to do with there present condition if you will. Apart from God we cannot grow in our walk with Christ. We can not be in fellowship with God, with Jesus, if we are walking in darkness. We "lie" to ourselves if we think we can be walking in darkness and have
"fellowship with him."
Another thing that brings to mind is a lack of love and fervor for the Lord. God tells us in his word that if we love him, we will obey what he commands.
Why would God want to spit out Christians that are lukewarm? "The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luke 3:9) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (Matthew 5:13)
Many people on this earth claim to be Christians, the say that they love God and Jesus. Yet they continue to walk in the darkness, in sin. Will the grace of God continue to pour out on those who are not truly repentant? Surely not, God knows our heart and he will not be mocked. However, if we come to him in true repentance seeking forgiveness for our sins, and do so with a pure heart, Jesus will forgive us.
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a Christian that is not "hot" is this. They are not growing in the Lord. Then when I read this verse it seems to me that deeds have something to do with there present condition if you will. Apart from God we cannot grow in our walk with Christ. We can not be in fellowship with God, with Jesus, if we are walking in darkness. We "lie" to ourselves if we think we can be walking in darkness and have
"fellowship with him."
Another thing that brings to mind is a lack of love and fervor for the Lord. God tells us in his word that if we love him, we will obey what he commands.
Why would God want to spit out Christians that are lukewarm? "The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luke 3:9) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (Matthew 5:13)
Many people on this earth claim to be Christians, the say that they love God and Jesus. Yet they continue to walk in the darkness, in sin. Will the grace of God continue to pour out on those who are not truly repentant? Surely not, God knows our heart and he will not be mocked. However, if we come to him in true repentance seeking forgiveness for our sins, and do so with a pure heart, Jesus will forgive us.
4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2)
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