Is the boat comfortable?
Revelation 3:15-16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Yesterday I watched as my pastor followed God’s call on his heart in stepping down from the church of 25 years; a church and pastor that God used to change my life eternally, and countless other lives that he came into contact with. I saw the pain, I saw the fear, but I also saw the obedience and security of knowing God was laying this step of faith out for him. Yesterday I began to reflect on how many that I know that God has moved (including myself) out of their comfort zones. How many God has opened and closed doors for; how many have taken steps of faith they would have never taken had God not prodded them to move. It is so easy to become comfortable, so easy to rest in religion, so easy to rest in grace and mercy, so easy to become lukewarm……… God is never going to leave you in a position of comfort, for he knows you will become lukewarm……. God is going to continually lay out steps of obedience, a stairway to heaven if you will; each step of obedience takes you out of your comfort zone and one step closer to God. Each step is seemingly larger than the last, but in each step your faith grows and those around you see your faith and are encouraged by it. God is continually at work in each believers heart and life, and using both to effect those that witness the hearts of obedience to the One they call Lord.
Revelation has it’s warnings to the seven churches culminating in this very visual stern warning to the church that is comfortable and lukewarm. “You turn my stomach to the point of vomit,” He says. There is no point of your life your faith should not be growing; is there evidence of growth, comfort, stagnation, or even backsliding? Is not backsliding even preferred? If you are cold, the heart will feel the need for repentance and U-turn. The puffed up heart of comfort sees no need for change. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. There are so many sermons, so many paths in this passage, but we are called to live out our faith, to abide for each day, to emulate Christ each day sharing our faith, growing more like him for our hearts desire is to serve him each day. Every good thing comes from above, and in those good times we become comfortable. Jesus warns us in this passage of his chastening, and promise to those who will repent. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Christianity is a relationship and not a religion; it is a daily walk with the Lord and not fulfilling the religious duty of church one day a week. It is an abiding relationship with your Creator, Savior, and Sustainer of your life and all that you know. It is a walk for just today, a call to concentrate on just today, not worry about tomorrow, but a hearts plea to be used for kingdom work wherever He places your feet today. Pray a prayer this morning to be used by God, and taken out of your comfort zone to where only he is when you step out of the boat like Peter did on the sea with Jesus.
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