Recently I was filling out an employment application. At the end of all applications are at least three identity sections. One has to do with gender, the other military, and yet another disability. A choice has to be checked off in all three categories, and in all three categories, you can check the box that says, “I chose not to identify.” An example would be in the gender section, where the applicant must choose one answer.
It usually goes something like this;
Female
Male
I choose not to identify
Each day we are showing the world what our identity is concerning the things of God and the Bible. John wrote in Revelations 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold, nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot or 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.”
Most would agree that our world has gone nuts; If you are one of those, then maybe you cannot see what the rest can see. Most people reading this understand what I am trying to say here without being unkind to anyone because that surely is not my intent.
We get up every day and go about “life.” It’s not hard to see if someone is male or female. Well, usually anyway, unless we’re on the wrong side of town where odd things take place, and the new transgender thing is acceptable in that place. Even then, we can usually tell if a person is male or female. We can also identify the one who doesn’t like their gender and are trying to be something that they are not. Gosh, we all have eyes, and it just is what it is. With that said, God loves all people equally, and we all have deep value in His eyes, and we “Jesus followers” should be mimicking our Fathers’ thoughts and behaviors. He is our Father who loves his children, even though He doesn’t always approve of all our behaviors. HE is God, and He is Father. He sets the standards.
The same is true with the scripture reference of Revelations 3. We are all either hot, cold, or lukewarm and make no mistake, we ARE ONLY ONE of them. And just like on a job application we must choose one, and that choice shows up in how we live our daily life. We can say we are hot, but we’d be a liar and stating false things if we don’t live our daily life in the hot zone, so to speak. Some want to be known as the “cold group”. They’d be the atheist, to include those who believe they should and will live life as they see fit, and usually are great crusaders for trying to convince others that it is the path to follow because if you don’t, you are being “controlled.” (as though we aren’t all controlled by something, even if it is just that we’ve made ourself to be our own god.) And the lukewarm group is a large group in society today that can come off with a good masquerade because it is crucial to them to be liked by everyone, to be popular, to do whatever the group is doing at any given time without judgment. That person thinks little of themself and needs affirmation from the wrong source to their value. They know how to wear a mask and pull it off well. They are the fakes. That person can dress up in Sundays best, have the perfect bumper sticker and speak the best Christianese as Joyce Meyers often says. But if that same person is lazy, rude and unmannerly at home; if they don’t have a heart that longs after God and His way, they for sure are lukewarm. Christianity is not a show; it is not a place to go, but it is who we are. It is being a Jesus follower in our thoughts, our attitudes, and lifestyle. It is not that we are perfect by any means, but when we make a mistake, we acknowledge it, ask forgiveness and get back up and keep moving forward. Repentance is NOT just saying I am sorry. Repentance is changing directions; it’s around about-face, in breaking bad habits and behaviors. It is GOD that gives us the power and ability to do this, but we do have the responsibility to take action. We can know that we shouldn’t lie, but then we have to NOT lie. We can know we shouldn’t be lazy, but knowing isn’t enough. We have to take action against that thing, which is not of God. It is just time for us all to grow up and put away childish things. He never leaves us on our own to change ourselves. The Bible says it is the power of God that takes us from glory to glory, but first, Jesus has to have control and be made LORD of your life. That is good news.
Which one are you? Which one am I? Folks, this is a question we’d all better be willing to ask ourselves because the day will come when whatever we are, hot, cold, or lukewarm, will be made public for all to see anyway. (Matthew 10: 26) Not only that, but God already knows, and none of us can escape the fact that our whole life on earth now and our eternity to come will be a direct result of this fact. Am I hot, cold, or lukewarm? Chose carefully, you’re whole life and eternity depend on this decision.
Hot
Cold
Lukewarm
Uniquely You 