How often is it that we disregard the Word of God and act like little babies in our faith? How often do we cling to that first "spiritual" experience or that last revival of the soul to carry us through life? We are taught (in a very elementary way) that simple belief in Jesus Christ is what it means to be a Christian.
Wrong.
Forget everything you felt or heard at church camp every year. We must yearn for Him daily, we must deny ourselves and align ourselves with His absolute truths and His way of doing things. God does not give us commands because He wants to boss us around like a dictator on a power trip; He gives us commands because He created this universe to work in a particular order and we cannot live a life of true freedom until we realize this. Scripture and life itself had to beat this truth into me before I could actually wrap my mind around it. Maybe you can relate.
Jesus is clear that the middle road does not exist. There is a wide and narrow road (Matthew 5:13-14). This lukewarm, half-hearted faith that we masquerade as Christianity makes Him sick. Don't believe me?
"Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,' not realizing that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:16-17)
That was red-letter. Jesus says He will spit you out of His mouth but the literal Greek is translation says that He will vomit you out of His mouth. Lukewarm faith makes Him want to vomit. Let that rattle around in your skull for a moment. Imagine seeing our Lord and Savior face to face and Him blowing chunks because of your "faith." What's more, He goes on to say that those who are lukewarm are "wretch, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." These are pointed words from the very lips of a gracious, loving God.
Jesus loves you. Very much. He died for your sins – past, present, and future. On the cross, He saw your life playing out and joyfully took God's wrath upon Himself to rescue you. Do not be mistaken, your sins were eradicated on that Roman cross two centuries ago. Nevertheless, this act of grace is not to be taken lightly. God is steadfastly forgiving but also eternally holy and just. He will not be mocked, He will not be abused. As Mark Driscoll says so rightly, "Jesus will never take a beating again, that was a one-shot deal for salvation."
The wide road is crowded with cows being led to slaughter. May you be more than a tepid, moral rule-keeper. I pray that you would follow the narrow path, loving Him deeply and fully with every ounce of you.
Filed under:
Daily Life,
Scripture Lessons 
