This is not an exciting topic in any way. However, it is something worthwhile to think about in our worship and service to God. It is most challenging to live a life of total commitment to God and His cause. The world around us is evil, immoral, corrupt, lawless, and godless where people are “worshipping and serving the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.”
In his letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul exhorted the Christians: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5,6). It is necessary to take a survey of things in our personal lives to ensure that our lifestyle is consistent with the principles of Holy Scripture and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ must always be the object of the Christian faith, desire, and expectation for righteousness. Paul puts it this way. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord . . . and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Philippians 3:8,9).
Paul then continues his testimony and strongly declares that Christ is the object of his desire for fellowship in resurrection power. He declares: “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians3:10-12).
Paul had already trusted Christ for his salvation. And now he says “that I may know him.” Perhaps Paul had this feeling that there was so much more he needed to know and apply about his Lord and Savior who loved him and saved him by His grace.
Dr Stanley writes: “Very few could match Paul’s credentials and accomplishments. But it was never enough for the apostle. Paul needed Jesus. it wasn’t through his success that he experienced God—it was through his suffering and adversity. And during those times, the Lord touched him so profoundly and intimately that Paul realized how priceless it was to experience adversity” (The Charles F Stanley Life Principles Bible p. 1432). This indeed is a very great lesson and inspiration for Christians today.
Having a passionate desire like Paul to know more about Jesus Christ, the power of His resurrection, and share in His sufferings and death, will not allow lukewarmness to creep into the Christian’s life and service. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). And also keep “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
In His message to the Laodicea, the Church in its final state of apostasy, the Lord Jesus said: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17). Herein is an example of self-satisfaction and complacency. This is a very sad and pitiable condition to be in. And it was not the Lord’s intent that the Church remains in such a condition. Hence, He urged them to change their behavior and repent and He concluded, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). It seems that the Lord would rather the Church “were either cold or hot” instead of being lukewarm, because there would be better prospects for change. Thank God for His forgiveness.
It is amazing how God, because of His grace and mercy, does not “give up” on us, even when we are disobedient and go astray. The prophet Micah considered the goodness and mercy of God when he said this about God: “He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18,19). Micah’s God is our God today and forever.
If you have become lukewarm in your commitment to the Lord, there is hope for you in the steadfast love of God. Turn back to God in heartfelt confession. He has promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). May the Spirit of God grant you the courage to do so. Amen.