Over the recent weeks, the message has been clear and consistent. It started when I was watching Pastor David Jeremiah’s series of TV sermons for the past Sundays – “The Falling Away”, “End Times People”, “Cancel Culture” and “Spiritual Famine”. In a gist, he talked about how in the last days, the people’s hearts would grow cold – only caring for themselves. He also brought up some prominent Pastors and spiritual leaders who have renounced their Christian faith. He shared statistics about church attendance declining in the current decades. Even the Gideons Bible that used to be in most hotel rooms, are almost non-existent nowadays. He further talked about the “Cancel Culture” - how we can easily dismiss a person or a group of people over a slightest mistake, controversial action, or judgment call. He reiterates the message on Matthew 24 verses 8, 10-12 about the end of days. “All these are the beginning of birth pains. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Around the same period, our church had the Kingdom Builders emphasis Sundays. We received regular reports from our various missionaries across the globe and how many lives are transformed through their ministries. The most touching of which was the report in person from Peter and Patricia DeWit, missionaries in Paris. They both stirred our hearts about the great need out there especially on the plight of the refugees. For a moment, they gave us a glimpse of how it is being a refugee – the long ordeal of fleeing from the horrors of their countries caused by unending war/conflicts, lawlessness, poverty and more. Now that these people are in a new country, some still have papers in progress to be granted a refugee status. In the meantime, they have nowhere to go, no one to show them the way on how to navigate the unfamiliar place. The DeWits have lots of stories to share about refugees of various backgrounds whom they have welcomed into their tiny apartment – giving meals, providing clothes/shoes and most of all friendship. Soon they are plugged into a bigger community that can provide long term and sustainable help. The DeWits answered God’s call of reaching out to people through tangible and practical means. They showed us what it meant to be God’s hands to embrace them and remind them that He sees, understands, and cares for them. What a powerful way of demonstrating genuine Christianity – not through religion, not through structured programs but effective actions as a result of pure and genuine love.
While these are all going on, we happen to cover Chapter 4 of Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love in one of our small groups. The title of the chapter is “Profile of the Lukewarm”. He outlined about 18 profiles of a lukewarm Christian. It was an uncomfortable, difficult and heart wrenching study for us all as we were challenged by the truth. Personally, what struck me was how I can easily be emotional hearing about stories just as the DeWits shared then once I go back to my regular routine, I seem to gradually forget about it. I am confronted with how shallow I am with my walk with God. Did I receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, just to escape eternal damnation? Is my heart aligned with Him when He longs for people to be back in His fold? Am I seeing people through His eyes? Have I been too comfortable in my own world that I only focus on keeping it this way? Have I grown complacent, lukewarm and most of all cold-hearted to what the Lord is asking me to do? Am I loving God with ALL my heart, soul, and strength?
In the same chapter, Francis Chan had this introduction video and referenced the Church in Laodicea in Revelations. This church has become so comfortable with their wealth and self-sufficiency that they forgot their calling and have grown apathetic with their love for Christ. The most shocking was what the Lord told them that if they continue with their lukewarmness, He will spit them out of His mouth. Read Revelations 3:14-18.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor 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. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
Being confronted with the truth hurts. The good news is, He does not leave us this way. He offers hope and a way for repentance and transformation. We all are a work in progress. In the succeeding verses, He says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Isn’t He amazing? In our waywardness, He corrects us and longs for us to be back on the right track. I pray that He breaks through my cold heart. I pray by His grace; He would break me free from my lukewarmness and respond with obedience to what He is calling me to do. Jesus gave His all for me… am I giving my all to Him?
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