These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3. 14-17 NIV
As a Christian I am totally convicted in my own heart every time I read these verses. "What can I do to be a stronger, brighter light for Jesus?" Satan works on me, enticing me to sit on my couch when I should be doing anything else - volunteering, working for a local church, even cleaning my house --- anything is better than wasting my day. Yet, I still do it, even though I know it's the wrong way to behave. Even as I read other brothers and sisters in Christ posts and tweets and I am not motivated to get as excited as they are, I worry that I am lukewarm. So I think it through, and I see that just because I don't have their conviction, or I don't possess the answer, it doesn't mean I'm not "hot" for the Lord.
We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. I Corinthians 8. 1-3 NIV
So I get all introspective and ask myself, "Is there a bigger hypocrite than I am?" The answer is a resounding "WHO CARES?" God doesn't measure me to anyone else, so why do I? I just have to grow every day - more like Christ today than yesterday. Having knowledge is not having wisdom --- We all know folks that are know-it-alls and love and sincerity are not in them. I pray every day that I do not become one of those --- I try every day to be more like Jesus. Some days are better than others.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6.7-10 NIV
So, we don't just do good for any type of merit badge or spiritual bank account, but because we have The Holy Spirit inside and are compelled to what is right. Pastors across the country have said on many occasions that God doesn't expect you to clean up before you turn your life over to Him, turn your life over and He will aid you in the clean up process.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4.8 NIV
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