Get Off the Fence

Do you know how to test the milk in a baby’s bottle to see if it is suitable for the baby to drink?  You have to make sure it is body temperature.  You pour a drop or two on the inside of your wrist.  If it’s too cold, you will feel it.  If it’s too hot, you will feel it.  But if it’s lukewarm, you don’t feel it at all.

The on-fire-for-Jesus Christians are hard to ignore.  They are in-your-face and all about the Lord.  Their enthusiasm is either infectious or nauseating.  Either way, you notice them!  The cold Christians are skeptical about things, refuse to get out of their comfort zone and share the gospel with others, and are generally still living in the world.  When you try to talk to them about Christ, they clam up and want to change the subject.  You notice them because you may feel rejected or judged by them.
 
What if a Christian is lukewarm?  Do they impact you?  Do you notice them?  Probably not.  These folks are the ones who tend to go along with popular opinion and ride under the radar.  They live in a world of compromise and desire to avoid any personal pain that life brings. According to the Word, this is a very dangerous place to be.  Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
 
We will all have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day.  Do we want our lives to be such that we never had an impact and that He will be disgusted with us?  Living life for oneself is the surest way to do this.  Succumbing to life’s temptations and going along with what you know is not right is displeasing to God.  Being is Christian is not easy, nor was it intended to be.  God would rather a man oppose Him than be lukewarm.  Isn’t that a surprise?  Remember Paul, he was a man who staunchly opposed God and Christians.  He caused many Christians to be murdered.  God saw what Paul could be and intervened in his life to make him, arguably, the greatest apostle.  God loves to turn evil into good.  The point is that God can work in the lives of those who have passion – either hot or cold.  But what can He do with an apathetic person – someone who doesn’t care one way or the other?  God cannot use these folks.
 
I am going to be bold to say that it’s time for Christians to get off the fence!  Either you are for or against God.  We are losing moral ground in this country at a fast rate.  Prayer is being taken out of public arenas, Biblical scripture is being stripped off the walls of our courts, and the very foundational beliefs of our country are being overthrown.  Our constitution is being ignored in court rulings over imminent domain, redistribution of wealth, and other

liberal policies that are being forced down the throats of the majority by a few.  Our constitution says that we have freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.  Our rights, as Christians, are being ignored.  Some churches are even bowing to political correctness and not preaching the Word uncompromised, for fear of offending people or losing their non-profit status.  They don’t realize that it’s the truth that sets us free. When are we going to wake up as the army of the Lord?

No matter who you are, married or single, young or old, you CAN make a difference by getting involved in your local church.  This is where you will grow spiritually so that you can prepare yourself for the battles we have in this nation, and the ones to come.  Simply decide to tell someone about Jesus.  You can easily do this by giving them your testimony and telling them about how God changed your life.  You can also get involved in your local government by contacting your representatives and senators to let them know how you feel about policies they are facing.

Remember the story of Joseph in Genesis?  He was just an ordinary man who God used to save the lives of many.  And Moses?  Even though he was not a good speaker, God chose him to free a nation.  How can we say that God cannot use one person today?  
 
The first step that every Christian needs to take is to make the decision to follow Christ.  No amount of preaching, teaching, or condemnation can force a person to do this.  They must, with free will, submit their lives to Him.  The next step is to get involved in a Bible-teaching church so that you can learn about the Word and grow spiritually.  Then, allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse your life of the things that hinder your growth and keep you from experiencing God’s blessings.  This is the part where a lot of Christians fall by the wayside.  It’s easy to go to church if you don’t have to be convicted or change.  But hang in there!  This is a necessary part of transformation!  Molding and firing clay into a shiny vessel requires times of pounding and being placed under fire.  But the results are beautiful!
 
Take a moment to pray about how you can be a warrior for God.  It’s better to go out in a flame of glory for God than to see the disappointment in His eyes because you decided to stand on the sidelines.
 
Prayer: God, I want to be used by You.  Please show me each step that I need to take.  Give me the courage to walk in righteousness, even when I have to alone.  You are my source for every need.  Bless me and keep me in Your will each day.  Amen

Copyright 2005 From My Heart To Yours