Then he (Jesus) said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. (Revelation 3:15, AMP)
Here is just a test to see if you are lukewarm. The Bible calls us to be hot or cold, not in between. We must examine what our lives look like. Are we riding the fence or going fully for the Lord? I know some of these might be hard to swallow, but I promise that it’s a good thing to take stock of where we are in our spiritual journey!
Are you Lukewarm?
Source: Francis Chan
1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go. Isaiah 29:13.
2. Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so, After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? 1 Chronicles 21:24, Luke 21:1-4.
The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever. (1 John 2:17, AMP)
This week, I thought it would be fun to explore what the life of a disciple looks like. How far am I willing to go for God? How far are you willing to go? What does discipleship look like? The first thing I see in Scripture when it comes to discipleship is an “Immediate Response”. There is no delay, no time to think sometimes, and no time to come up with excuses. We simply need to be obedient when the Lord calls us. Let’s take a look at a few examples of this…
1. Peter & Andrew
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. ~Matthew 4:18-20
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14, AMP)
There was no greater victory in history, then the victory of the cross. God triumphed over death by raising His Son to life. Through this one act, we now can experience victory in our own lives. Today, we have a choice… run with victory in mind or stand defeated. Will you chase after the victory that is yours in Jesus Christ?
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
Have you experienced the power of Jesus name? Have you called on the Lord lately? Sometimes, I think we forget the power that can be harnessed by calling on God. We forget who God is and the vast character He possesses. Is this you? Have you forgotten who God is for you? Let’s take a look at some of the names used to describe God in the Word. Let’s call upon the Lord and find the comfort that only He can give. Let’s run to the Lord and find safety in Him!
1. My Healer
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” ~Psalm 103:2-3