If you are anything like me,
it is easy to get into a routine of life only to find yourself going through the motions without even a second thought. You can get into such a flow of work that you can breeze through your assignments, even the tough ones, while your head is somewhere else. You can go through the routine of cleaning the house, making dinner, watching TV… you get the point. We can get so comfortable (or even uncomfortable) in our box that we do not strive to break free and stretch and challenge ourselves.
One area of our life that this contentment can really be disastrous is in our spiritual life. When we become content with where we are in our walk with Christ, we become lukewarm. The Bible warns us pretty drastically about being lukewarm:
“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
Sometimes in the morning I pour my coffee, eat my breakfast, go through my morning routine, but for whatever reason I forget my coffee on the counter. As I am getting ready to leave, I see it, thinking “Oh man, I need my coffee!” I take a big gulp and choke it down thinking, “This is so disgusting. Why did I just do that?”
The coffee had sat idle, and in its idle state lost its heat. Oh, that I would have placed it in the fridge or put ice in and made iced coffee. That would have been OK, at least it would have been fulfilling its purpose. But sitting there doing nothing, idle and cooling, the lukewarm coffee disgusts me. Admittedly, sometimes, I drink it anyway being in a rush, but it is as if I am choking down that gross meal that your parents made you eat when you were young.
The same applies to our spiritual walk with Christ. When we sit idle, content in the mold that we have made for ourselves, we find ourselves lukewarm. Neither hot nor cold, serving no purpose but our own desires. This is disgusting to our Savior who gives a greater purpose in life. While I believe that this principle applies very well to this situation of idleness, I also believe the Lord is getting at an even bigger issue. In John 14:12 & 15, Jesus tells us that if we believe in Him, if we love Him, we will follow Him and do what He teaches us to do.
So, I think the real question at hand is do you love Him? Do you love the Savior that gave His life for you?
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. – Matthew 7:18-20
Now is the time to break free of the mold that you have been living in and live a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, not tomorrow, is the time to renew your love for Jesus. Now is the time to commit to reading His word and praying. Now is the time to be faithful in worshipping with your church. Now is the time to get plugged in with the body of Christ and find your place to serve and grow, because we are truly better together. And if you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, now is the time to receive His free gift of forgiveness and grace.
With Easter right around the corner, now is the time to go and tell and invite people to come and see. There is no greater time that people would consider coming to church than Easter. So, I challenge you to break free of the lukewarm mold and join me in prayer about who you will invite this Easter. United together to share the gospel of Jesus with the world, starting right here in the Pioneer Valley.
Pastor Jason