Friday, March 22, 2019

Are you "hot", lukewarm" or "cold"?

Revelation 3:15. I know your works, that you are neither hot, nor cold; I would desire that you would be either cold or hot. 16. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you from my mouth.

We must constantly be asking ourselves whether we are "hot", lukewarm" or "cold". From what I can tell, most today seem to be "lukewarm" - basically pretending to be holy. We all know some "pretenders" - those who "talk the talk" but don't "walk the walk." None of us is "perfect" in haShem's eyes, but we should always do the best we possibly can. For instance ...

Those who have the Ruach within should become downright incensed if they see someone teaching and preaching falsehoods, or hawking the teachings of someone who does. I mean, I've never understood why a believer in Yeshua would want to forward the teachings of someone who DOESN’T believe in Yeshua, just because “they have lots of other really good teachings.”

I always like to ask, "would you knowingly eat brownies that have just a tiny bit of horse manure mixed into the dough because, 'after all, this person is known for GOOD brownies'?" If not, then stop fooling yourself into thinking you will always be discerning enough to be able to “chew the meat and spit out the bones” (as some are fond of saying).

I’ve seen the result of some of those who thought they had gathered “meat” unto themselves, and then ended up becoming “flat earthers" and conspiracy theorists, or rejecting Yeshua and the New Testament to start hanging out with Jewish counter-missionary rabbis and their ilk who sit around to engage in the endless bashing of "Jesus" and the New Testament (Ironic, isn't it, that they can’t quit talking about the one they’ve rejected?) … or becoming so disillusioned that atheism seemed like the most viable option….

We might want to do some spiritual adjustments if we find ourselves fighting correction of any kind. For instance, if I were openly flirting with some guy, I should expect to be reprimanded by my husband, or a sister or brother who witnessed me doing it. If I try to lie or argue my way out of it, whom am I really serving?

Which actually brings me to another point, and that is: If you have a problem with a brother or sister, Scripture commands that we go to THEM to discuss it, first, before we do anything else. We don’t go to others to gossip behind their backs….

Matthew 18: 15 "Moreover, if your brother commits a sin against you, go and show him his fault -- but privately, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. 16 If he doesn't listen, take one or two others with you so that every accusation can be supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to hear them, tell the congregation; and if he refuses to listen even to the congregation, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax-collector. (CJB)

Yes, in order for us to make sure we are always on YHWH’s Path, we MUST do regular spiritual inventories, so we can be sure NOT to be confused with the assembly of Laodicea.

Let’s read the context of the whole passage in Revelation 3:

Revelation 3:15. I know your works, that you are neither hot, nor cold; I would desire that you would be either cold or hot. 16. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you from my mouth.

17. Because you say, I am rich and affluent, and have all I need; and you don’t know that you are helpless and miserable and needy and blind and naked! 18. I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may become rich; and white robes, to be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be seen; and put eye-salve on your eyes, that you may see. 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Be faithful emulators therefore, and repent.

20. Behold, I have been standing at the door, and I will knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. 21. And to him that is victorious, to him will I give to sit with me on my throne, even as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22. He that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. (AENT)

Yes, to make sure we remain on ADONAI's Path, we MUST do regular spiritual inventories; because in this lost world where we are surrounded by evil, it's easy to lose our way, if we're not careful.

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