Lukewarm

Read Matthew 13:44

It's that time of the year here in the Northeast when the seasons are beginning to change and the overnight chill factor is starting to have it's affects on all of us. And with this change in temperatures and even seasons of life it got me thinking about what the Bible calls and warns Christians about - being lukewarm.

The man in Matthew 13:44 is anything but lukewarm! He's excited about the reality, the treasure of finally understanding and finding the kingdom of heaven, the truth about God. He's so excited about His new life in the kingdom of God that he does a few things. First, he's celebrating. He's filled with this almost unexplainable joy. Next, he goes out and sells everything he owns. Friends, everything means everything. He's so excited that no material things matter any longer to him. He's found something that is invaluable. Finally, he goes and buys the field where he buried this treasure of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake this man would never be described as lukewarm.

How about us? I think if we're honest we'd assent intellectually that we have an amazing treasure in our relationship with God. But I'm not so sure we'd go out and sell everything we owned. Listen, the point is our enthusiasm and our lives are intended to be like this man's. We should be so excited about the truth of God we've found in our lives that it impacts everything.

Here's the deal, we will remain lukewarm in our faith if we are satisfied with being "godly enough" to get ourselves into heaven and see our lives as "good enough". God desires all of us to live lives that are red-hot for Him. Where everything else takes second place. This week I urge all of us to consider what it's going to take for us as individuals, those who claim to follow Christ, to truly live our whole lives fully devoted to Him.