Pastor Pusch

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Chapter 4: Profiles of the Lukewarm

Have you ever tasted something so bad that your only option was to immediately spit it back out?  I know I’ve done it. I shared with the class last night that I’m a “drink milk from the carton” kind of guy. I told them a story about a time when I took a drink when the milk came out lumpy. After washing my mouth out, I went back and saw that the milk was one week past the expiration date. From that day forward, I always check the date and refuse to drink even at one day past. Utterly disgusting (no pun intended)! How about a rotten cherry tomato? They don’t look so bad on the outside. Have you ever bit through one in your mouth only to have the taste of trash take over. Ok… how about this?  Have you ever had that sensation that you needed to belch, only when you did, you got way more than what you bargained for? You know what I mean? It’s that acidic taste that no amount of toothpaste can ever take away. What you got was a small taste of vomit. Yeah… that’s it.

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things say the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could 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 3:14-16

As a part of His rebuke to the church of Laodicea, the Lord uses the word ‘lukewarm’ to describe their spiritual condition. The people of Laodicea knew all too well about the state of lukewarm. Although the city was known for its banking industry, wool manufacturing, and their “eye” medical center, they were also know to have had a terrible waterway system. In fact Laodicea was most dependent upon surrounding cities for its water supply (mainly Hierapolis for hot water and Colossae for cold). The problem with Laodicea was that when the waters finally reached the city, it was neither hot nor cold. It was a bad-tasting lukewarm.

It is interesting that the Lord would rather you be hot or cold. If ‘hot’ means that you are pursuing God wholeheartedly or “on fire for God”, it would make complete sense that God would want you to be hot. What about cold? If ‘cold’ means you are far from being where you need to be, why would God rather you be cold rather than lukewarm? At least at lukewarm you have some sort of inkling toward God. Interesting. Right? Lukewarm is a dangerous position. When you’re hot, you’re hot. God is working through you and in you. When you you’re cold, God can break through and begin to melt away the ice of your heart. When your lukewarm, you don’t really have a burning desire for God because you believe that you are good enough already. Good enough tells you that you’re not really that cold, but you’re not really that hot either. Good enough is dangerous. At least when you’re cold, you’re still moldable. When you’re lukewarm, you simply think you’re ok, but the truth is that the real relationship isn’t there.

“We are all messed up human beings, and no one in totally immune  to the behaviors [of the lukewarm]. However, there is difference between a life that is characterized by those mentalities and habits and a life that is in the process of being radically transformed.”

Crazy Love: Overwhelemed by a Relentless God
Chapter 3: Crazy Love

The whole chapter comes down to this one question. The answer to this question will really help us determine what kind of a relationship we have with God.

Do we love/serve God because we feel that we should or because we really want to?

That’s it. Do you see the difference between someone who loves/serves God because they should (it’s the right thing to do)  and someone who loves/serves God because they want to? There is definitely a big difference between the two. One is a act surrounded by legalistic ritual and the other is a relationship driven by personal desire.

When we read our Bible, do we read because we feel that should or because we want to? When we pray, do we pray because we want to talk with God or because we feel that should because we’re supposed to? What about acts of service? Do we serve God because we love Him or do we serve in order to not annoy Him? One could say, “Well, I serve God out of obedience.” My question in response to that would be, why do you obey? Do we obey because we want to or because we should?

If we’re not careful, we will begin to treat our relationship with God as a set ritual and not as a personal relationship with the Savior. When that happens, we become more concerned with the “dos” and “don’ts” and the “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots.” It becomes more about rules and regulations than it does about the relationship. What good is ritual without the relationship?
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Obviously we struggle. Sometimes it seems that our relationship with God is not what it should be and that’s ok… to an extent. It’s ok because we are mere humans, but it’s only ok when we have the determination and discipline to get back up and pursue after God. Humanity ought never be an excuse to intentionally slip up or to stay in some kind of  fallen position. The Apostle Paul is a prime example of a human failing successfully. In Romans 7, Paul writes about his own struggle with sin and how it keeps him from doing the things he should do. However, in Romans 8, he writes about the inseparable love of God that keeps us. Further yet, in Philippians 3, Paul writes to us about the importance to pursue God; to “press toward the goal.” He admits his own imperfection and that he’s missed the mark, yet he continues to strive; to pursue.

We are human; we will fall, but let’s not allow that to keep us from striving after God. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, yet we must keep going in this pursuit of holiness.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Chapter 2: You May Not Finish Reading this Chapter

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard the question, “what if you were to die today?” It’s a thought provoking question indeed; one that merits our attention only if seen through the eyes of God. We must have a right perspective on death. Every time I’ve heard that question, in this form or another, it has always been asked in a negative light. I suppose I understand the shock value, but negative no less.

What kind of view do you have on death? For most, death is the end of life’s story as the final chapter has come to a close. It’s an end. For those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, death is only the beginning to an everlasting life into eternity. Actually, if you think about it, for one who has truly accepted Christ, their eternity really begins at salvation with death merely being a blip on the radar. Interesting. Even for those who believe, death is almost always cast in a negative light even though we know better or at least ought to know better.

Have you ever been asked, “Where would you be if Jesus came back in 60 seconds?” Or, “what if you knew Jesus was coming back this Friday at noon, what would you do? How would your life be different?” I’ve heard those questions a number of times. I’ve heard several talk about how they want to be first in line when Jesus appears. I applaud their confidence; however, my thought was an extreme opposite. Yes, I love Jesus. He’s changed my life. I know Him. I also know me. I know me so well that it would prompt me to want to run and hide because I know I don’t always live life as I should. Obviously, the truth is that God knows exactly where I am at any given time. (That alone is interesting to think about.)

A Different Question

What if today was the day that we stood before Jesus? Perhaps we never make it back home today or maybe God the Father gives the OK for Christ’s return, either way the question remains. What if today you stood before Christ? The writer of James gives us a unique picture by reminding us that life is but a vapor; a vapor that vanishes away. The truth is that life could end at any moment and when that moment happens we will appear before Christ to give an account for the life He gave us. The real question is, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH LIFE NOW? Now is what matters. If you are living for Christ, what are you doing for Him now? What is your personal worship like (if there is one)? Wouldn’t it be best to stand before Christ knowing you were all about Him? We’ve heard the clichés’ “we’re not guaranteed another second, minute, hour, tomorrow, next week, month, year, etc.”, yet we live as though we are untouchable and that tomorrow will indeed come. I always think about tomorrow and next year and ten years from now as if it were guaranteed. I’ve put off ministry opportunities, witnessing, and other “God things” thinking that I can simply do it tomorrow. Knowing what scriptures says, but not really believing it could happen to me, I went about my days unintentionally.
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In chapter 1 we talked mostly about having a high view of God. We asked the question that if we believe God is truly who He says He is and we attribute all those names/accolades to Him; does our life reflect such thinking? Do we live a life that honors/glorifies HIS name and all that He is? The same question can be asked in chapter 2. Do we live a life that reflects the fact that our lives are merely vapors and that at any moments time, we may stand before Christ?

Go back a read the first two chapters and ask yourself, so what? What does this mean to me? How does this affect my here and now?
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The Apostle Paul on the Subject of Death
Philippians 1:12-26

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.