Be Hot or Cold

“In the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’“ – 1 Corinthians 15:32

This seems to be the downfall in the mindset of many a Christian man and it is easy to fall into this trap of worldly thinking.  The thinking goes something like this: “What advantage is there for me to fight all day and sometimes all night, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, only to get old and die?  I think I see others who do not do this and they seemingly appear to be enjoying all of their life getting everything out of it while I slave away for nothing!  It is time for me to get something before life passes me by.  I need to do what will make me happy.” So, the man goes out and eats, drinks and is merry.  (Or is it eat, drink and be Mary?)  And a whole lot of people are left holding on as the wake from that boat pounds them over and over.

But, dear Christian, the dead DO rise!!  What then?  Do you continue in your thinking and living for yourself?  In the end you will be dead either way!  Live for Christ today or go and die!  Do not confuse the dead by being half-dead or the living with being half-alive.  Choose one way or the other and do it. 

This is why Jesus said he hated luke-warm churches.  Be hot or cold, make a decision!  The average Christian doesn’t seem to realize that a half-hearted decision is a decision to not believe.  Something in this world is so precious to them they will not let it go, or they are too fearful of the rejection of men to let it go.  Either way, the decision is that something is worshipped to a level that it is just as important as God.  This action means you don’t believe in God as the only authority and that His instructions in His Word are the best way for you to live to be completely satisfied and full.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

How often we see an apparently good Christian led away by the people they are around who influence them away from the things of God.  How foolish we are to think these “good” people have our best interest.  How can someone who doesn’t know God or isn’t in a purposeful close relationship with God lead us to what is best for us?  Remove these “friends” from your life.  Otherwise you will soon be riding the fence and be luke-warm water that Jesus wants no part.  You will be double-minded and unstable.  Eventually the sin will grow and destroy something in your life that you never intended.