Daily Devotional
Are You Lukewarm Toward Jesus?
“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.”
Revelation 3:15-16
July 10, 2023
Ponder This
Do you know the greatest obstacle the Church has to overcome? It is lukewarm Christians—people who have their names on church roles, people who claim to love the Lord Jesus Christ, but they just are not excited about the Lord Jesus Christ. Often, we can’t reach the goal for stumbling over our own players. If there were fewer self-proclaimed Christians and all were on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ, we’d do more than we do with an army of lukewarm people. Jesus said He would rather have you cold than lukewarm. He then said, “You make me sick to my stomach.”
Why would lukewarmness make the Lord Jesus sick to His stomach? A great Bible teacher named G. Campbell Morgan said, “Lukewarmness is the worst form of blasphemy.” Think about it—a man who’s on fire for the Lord Jesus says, “I don't want to ever lose my first love.” The man who’s cold says, “I don’t believe in You; I hate You; You’re a false prophet. You’re an imposter; I have nothing to do with You.” But the lukewarm person says, “I believe in You, but You just don't excite me. I believe in You, but You died on the cross. What’s new?” Do you see what I mean? Jesus would rather you say, “I don’t even love You; I don’t know you; I don’t desire you; or I hate you,” than say, “I believe in You, but You don’t impress me, and You’re not worthy of my love or devotion.”
- These are some of the most sobering words in the Bible. Where are you unimpressed with Jesus?
- How is God calling you to repent and turn back to Him today?
Practice This
Take time to sit in silence, asking God to reveal the places you’ve been lukewarm toward Him. Repent of this posture and revisit passages that remind you of the amazing love of God. (For example, read Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2.)
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
