Celestial Diary

Revelation 3:15-16
¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 
¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

This message is crystal clear: God is calling us to reflect on our devotion. Are we passionate about His cause (being hot), or are we indifferent (being cold) to His kingdom? It’s time to assess our stance as Christians. Let’s embrace our faith with unwavering commitment and pride so we can stand tall as we make our position evident to the world.

It’s easy to lose sight of God’s true nature amidst the diluted version of Christianity we often see today. Our faith has been watered down, leading to a lack of discipline, morals, commitment, unity, respect, and diligence among us. Everyone is a preacher now and the internet and churches are filled with multiple theories and versions on how to be a Christian.

We must remember the God we serve is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. He has demonstrated His immense power throughout history, yet we often fail to acknowledge His authority. While we have the freedom to choose whether to serve Him or not, once we make that choice, it comes with the responsibility of following His clear instructions outlined in the Bible.

Luke 6:46-47
⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 
⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.

Those who hear the word of God and live by it are considered wise, while those who ignore His teachings are seen as foolish. They possess the truth but choose not to follow the right path.

In Revelation 3:16, God explicitly expresses His disapproval of lukewarm Christians, stating that He will reject them. A lukewarm Christian is someone whose faith is unclear; they drift on the line between belief and the world. They claim to follow Christ, yet their actions are questionable. Their lives portray worldly norms, but their words are quick to mention Christ.

It’s a reminder that our faith should not merely be lip service. True belief is demonstrated through our actions and a genuine commitment to living according to God’s teachings. Let us strive for a faith that is sincere and wholehearted, aligning our lives with the wisdom found in His word.

Some individuals identify as believers in God, yet lack the deep passion to fully live for Him. They find contentment in the way things are and occasionally participate in religious activities. However, their overall lifestyle doesn’t really differ from that of non-believers.

Lukewarm Christians:

A lukewarm Christian’s devotion to God is conditional and convenient. They desire to engage in both worldly pursuits and serve God, but their commitment to God often takes a back seat to their worldly relationships. For instance, there are mature Christians who, despite understanding the scriptures and recognizing sinful behaviors, choose to engage in those actions without being accountable to anyone. They may justify their actions by claiming that their relationship with God is a personal matter so others shouldn’t interfere or by interpreting scriptures to suit their preferences.

In essence, lukewarm Christians lack the unwavering dedication to God that would make them willing to endure any hardship for the sake of their faith. They can easily drift in and out of their Christian identity, adapting it to their convenience and pleasure.

God calls us to a deeper, wholehearted commitment, where our faith isn’t just a part of our lives but the very essence of who we are and this is where the difference is between a hot and a lukewarm Christian. A genuine relationship with God involves living out our beliefs consistently, aligning our actions with His teachings, and being accountable to one another as a community of believers.

Hot Christians:

Romans 12:11-12
11 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

For me this verse captures the essence of being a ‘Hot’ Christian. Despite the difficult language, breaking it down clarifies its meaning, making it practical and actionable.”

1. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor: Being zealous means investing time and energy in what you believe in. It’s crucial to channel our time and energy towards God’s work diligently and with sincerity. When reading the Bible for example, our focus shouldn’t be merely to check it off our to-do list. Instead, let’s concentrate on the precious moments we spend communicating with our Father. Every step of our journey with Christ deserves our sincere commitment and seriousness.
2. Be aglow and burning with the Spirit: Aglow signifies excitement, and ‘burning with the Spirit’ reflects our deep spiritual passion for God’s work. Do we act to appear virtuous in the eyes of others? Is it merely a routine, or an attempt to feel like good Christians? As believers who profess love for God, why aren’t we enthusiastic about His work, showcasing His greatness to the world? Let’s embrace this passion for God’s purpose and follow His words just as He spoke them, igniting our spiritual fervor for all to see.
3. Serving the Lord: Choosing to believe in Jesus and follow His teachings is the essence of discipleship (John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor). In what ministry are you active in your local church or the body of Christ? Are you just a bench warmer or do you serve God in a visible manner? Our service to Him is the expression of our faith so being a Christian without having anything to show for it is quite questionable. Through our dedication, God recognizes us and promises blessings in the end.
4. Rejoice and exult in hope: God, our amazing Father, deeply cares for each of us. He responds to our prayers, rescues us in times of need, heals us, blesses us, guides us, rebukes us, and provides for us. Most importantly, He is the giver of life. If we reflect inwardly, we’d realize there’s much to be grateful for. So why don’t we express our gratitude properly? If a human did even a fraction of what God does, we would never cease to praise them. Yet, we often take God’s blessings for granted and fail to thank Him as much as we should.
5. Be steadfast: Lukewarm Christians often struggle with this aspect. The Bible provides clear guidance, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s intentions. If God has clearly stated something as right or wrong, who are we to question His word? We cannot selectively believe in parts of the Bible. It’s essential to stand firm in our beliefs, regardless of societal opinions, and resist the temptation to change our minds based on fleeting worldly trends.
6. Be patient in suffering and tribulation: Patience, a fruit of the Spirit (known as longsuffering), is not an easy virtue to attain. The devil loves to divert us from God’s will through trials and tribulations. Yet, by staying focused and maintaining constant communication with our Lord, patience becomes more achievable. We endure knowing we’ll survive the tests and witness God’s goodness. It’s not something we can achieve in our strength alone, but the closer we draw to God and dwell in His presence, the easier it becomes.
7. Be constant in prayer: Communication is vital in our relationship with God. Christianity is not just a set of rituals; it’s a living relationship with our Creator. Just as any relationship, communication is key. We shouldn’t limit our prayers to times of need. Instead, we should maintain constant communication with God, much like we do with our loved ones. We can share our day, seek His guidance through His Word, express our worries and fears, and ask for advice before making decisions. Prayer takes various forms and should adapt based on what we need to convey. Understanding how to pray is essential for being a fervent Christian.

Cold Christians:

I believe these people may label themselves as Christians, but they haven’t personally accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Some are only Christians by association, following the faith of their parents without truly understanding God’s teachings. Others don’t know what a church looks like, have never engaged with a Bible or learned how to pray. Their identification as Christians often stems from the human desire to belong to a group.

In reality, they aren’t truly living as Christians, embodying the Christ-like qualities. They lack a deep understanding of who God is and fail to follow His teachings. Belonging to this category is risky, because they miss out on the transformative essence of genuine faith.

Conclusion:

To cut the long story short, being a true follower of God involves more than acknowledging Him as God or occasional engagement in religious activities or beliefs; it requires a deep, authentic transformation that permeates every aspect of our lives.

Where do we belong? What aspects of our lives needs improvement? I pray God give us the wisdom and grace to be able to prove our love to Him through our works and be proud to call ourselves His children in the midst of unbelievers.

Stay Blessed x