Before I dive into this weeks blog, I would like to take just a moment to apologize. It was brought to my attention that there numerous spelling issues and errors in my last blog that I had to go back and fix. I have learned a very valuable lesson, NEVER write a blog at 12:30-1:00 in the morning! Wait and finish it when you aren't falling asleep at your keyboard! LOL
Now, let's get into this weeks topic.
[Rev 3:17 NKJV] "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
My prayer time lately has been filled with cries for God to take me back to my first love and to keep my fire burning for Him. Fire is something that has to be tended to or else it goes out. It takes work to maintain. Staying on fire for God isn't something that just happens with no effort or work. When we are first saved, God graciously lights us on fire and we feel passionate about Him and His glory. For many of us that is the hottest we will ever burn for God. With time, we tend to grow complacent and take for granted all that God has done for us, unless we put in the effort to tend to that spiritual fire.
Jesus warns us in the book of Revelation that He does not want us to be lukewarm. In fact He says that if He finds us to be lukewarm, He will spit us out of His mouth! When we wallow in lukewarm Christianity we make God sick!
There are 5 words that Jesus used to describe the Loadicean Church's lukewarmness. Let's look at them below:
1. Wretched
The first word Jesus used was "wretched". The greek word also means "enduring trouble". When you are enduring trouble you are sitting still doing nothing. You are simply hoping for the storm to pass before you take action. The bible tells us to rejoice in tribulation and that trials are God's way of building up our character. If you find that you are always sitting still waiting for things to get better but you never take action, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
2. Miserable
The primary indicator that someone is miserable, is that they are unhappy. They have no joy. Without the joy of the Lord they have no strength. Wretched Christians are weak, unhappy people that are always trying to bring people down. If you find yourself always criticizing everything your church does but you don't lift a hand to help, You might be a lukewarm Christian.
3. Poor
More than simply not having money, the word "poor" that Jesus used also means to be needy and powerless to accomplish something. Poor Christians are always looking for a hand out, instead of a hand up. They spend most of their time sponging off of the stronger Christians around them. And, while the Bible tells us that the strong should bear the infirmities of the weak. It does not instruct us to allow spiritual free loaders to take advantage of our hospitality. If you are always asking and never giving, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
4. Blind
This word doesn't just refer to physical sight but to mental sight. A person that is operating blind has no idea where they are going. They have no vision for what God wants to do in their life. God's word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. He might not reveal all the steps but He will certainly show you the next one you are supposed to take. If you find yourself second guessing everything you think God is saying and never actually following through with anything, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
5. Naked
To be spiritually naked, is to be without a covering. You are out there just doing your own thing no matter what the church you attend is trying to accomplish. I have seen this type of person up close and personal. The church is moving in one direction and this person is trying to setup their own little thing and move in a totally different direction. God does not endorse Lone Ranger Christians. While He often sends out pioneers who blaze trails for others, these people are generally operating completely out on their own. If what you are doing could potentially split a church and is not breaking new ground, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
Now, let's get into this weeks topic.
[Rev 3:17 NKJV] "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
My prayer time lately has been filled with cries for God to take me back to my first love and to keep my fire burning for Him. Fire is something that has to be tended to or else it goes out. It takes work to maintain. Staying on fire for God isn't something that just happens with no effort or work. When we are first saved, God graciously lights us on fire and we feel passionate about Him and His glory. For many of us that is the hottest we will ever burn for God. With time, we tend to grow complacent and take for granted all that God has done for us, unless we put in the effort to tend to that spiritual fire.
Jesus warns us in the book of Revelation that He does not want us to be lukewarm. In fact He says that if He finds us to be lukewarm, He will spit us out of His mouth! When we wallow in lukewarm Christianity we make God sick!
There are 5 words that Jesus used to describe the Loadicean Church's lukewarmness. Let's look at them below:
1. Wretched
The first word Jesus used was "wretched". The greek word also means "enduring trouble". When you are enduring trouble you are sitting still doing nothing. You are simply hoping for the storm to pass before you take action. The bible tells us to rejoice in tribulation and that trials are God's way of building up our character. If you find that you are always sitting still waiting for things to get better but you never take action, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
2. Miserable
The primary indicator that someone is miserable, is that they are unhappy. They have no joy. Without the joy of the Lord they have no strength. Wretched Christians are weak, unhappy people that are always trying to bring people down. If you find yourself always criticizing everything your church does but you don't lift a hand to help, You might be a lukewarm Christian.
3. Poor
More than simply not having money, the word "poor" that Jesus used also means to be needy and powerless to accomplish something. Poor Christians are always looking for a hand out, instead of a hand up. They spend most of their time sponging off of the stronger Christians around them. And, while the Bible tells us that the strong should bear the infirmities of the weak. It does not instruct us to allow spiritual free loaders to take advantage of our hospitality. If you are always asking and never giving, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
4. Blind
This word doesn't just refer to physical sight but to mental sight. A person that is operating blind has no idea where they are going. They have no vision for what God wants to do in their life. God's word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. He might not reveal all the steps but He will certainly show you the next one you are supposed to take. If you find yourself second guessing everything you think God is saying and never actually following through with anything, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
5. Naked
To be spiritually naked, is to be without a covering. You are out there just doing your own thing no matter what the church you attend is trying to accomplish. I have seen this type of person up close and personal. The church is moving in one direction and this person is trying to setup their own little thing and move in a totally different direction. God does not endorse Lone Ranger Christians. While He often sends out pioneers who blaze trails for others, these people are generally operating completely out on their own. If what you are doing could potentially split a church and is not breaking new ground, you might be a lukewarm Christian.
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