I’ve heard it said that the most miserable person in the world is the one who straddles the fence, not committed to either the world or Jesus.
Pastor Francis Chan, in one of his sermons, tells the story of meeting Christians in Asia and observing their “all-in” lives for Jesus. He witnessed Christians fill an entire church until there was only standing room for a very early morning prayer meeting. Christians from the United States were very “lukewarm” and Asian Christians were all astounded and shocked that Christians in the United States would leave a church because they didn’t like a particular part of it (music, preaching, etc.). When Chan asked them why they were so incredulous about that fact, they responded in unison,
“There are no lukewarm Christians here. When we each made the decision to become a Christian, we were threatened with persecution, imprisonment, and death! Many of us have been disowned by our families and have lost our jobs, places to live, and our livelihoods. In our country, the only people who choose Jesus are serious—because it could likely mean them losing their very lives!”
Lukewarm Christians
John the Revelator warned Christians of the dangers of being lukewarm:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.” (Revelation 3:15-18, NLT).
Eternal Life Hangs in the Balance
I know, that’s pretty heavy stuff, but I want you to understand that…nothing less than your eternal life hangs in the balance!
When I think about a situation in our world that brings our focus into where it really needs to be, my mind goes to a group of people who called themselves followers of God, but who had to make a decision about whom to really serve with their lives. And the crazy thing about it was that God patiently waited for three and a half years, but finally He couldn’t wait anymore and had Elijah, His prophet, hit them smack in the face with this question when they absolutely couldn’t ignore it anymore; I mean, God literally showed up in fire and then had Elijah go off and kill the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah!…I’m not making this up! (read it for yourself in 1 Kings 18!)
Immediately after doing that: “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him’ ” (1 Kings 18:21, NIV). The prophet Elijah, when speaking to the backslidden people, was straightforward with them: it’s decision time! Fish or cut bait!
No Time To Waste!
We have reached a point in our world where there is no time to waste. If you call yourself a Christian . . . then stand up and be counted. Don’t just live it for several hours on one day or for several minutes during worship time—but live it all the time.
As this New Year begins—hopefully our last one here on earth—make a decision to be on fire for Jesus. Don’t be cold or just lukewarm. Be burning hot–all-in for Him. After all, He was all-in for you!
