Hot, Cold, Lukewarm, Ugh!

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish 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 3:15‭-‬16 

This is about dependability. A person who is hot or cold can be depended on. You will not give responsibilities to a person who is cold because you can depend on him to refuse or neglect the task. You can depend on someone who is hot to get the task done. He is your go-to guy.

Those who are lukewarm may fool you. They may appear hot, they may appear to be people who you would choose to work for you but they are not able to stay hot. Their personal lives are fraught with distractions. Their love for the truth is fickle. You can give them a task to do but chances are they will not carry it to completion.

Provoked

Are you provoked?

Being provoked is different than being offended. It’s different than just getting angry or holding a grudge that turns into a bitter root. Provocation is a combination of frustration and pity  toward  the ignorant. It says, “Father, forgive them  because they don’t know what they’re doing.” Then it consults with wisdom to determine a course of action for a positive change in the culture.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was PROVOKED within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Acts 17:16

While Paul was waiting for his missionary team to join him in Athens he was so provoked by the cultural ignorance that he didn’t wait for the rest of the team to develop a strategy. He began looking for ways to CONNECT with the people.

"...he REASONED in the synagogue... and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there." Acts 17:17

Among every culture there are always some who are open to the truth of the Gospel. They are reasonable people who will not demonize you because you are different or believe differently. We should look for ways to connect with them.

Paul also preached to the heathen citizens of Athens.

"... he PREACHED to them Jesus and the resurrection." Acts 17:18

Some people appear hardened to the truth. They are not reasonable or negotiable but they could possibly yield under the weight of anointed preaching. Some people will never be open to the truth but we should preach to them anyway. They will soon stand before God and have to answer to why they resisted the truth.

Paul was provoked at what he saw but he never condemned the people. He looked for ways to engage the culture through his observations. (If you have never read Paul’s sermon on the Areopagus, Acts 17:16-31, it is a model sermon for anyone who wants to engage unbelievers.)

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you…'" Acts 17:22‭-‬23

He was not able to convince all of his listeners. There were some who made fun of him and there were some who wanted to hear more later as well as those who became believers. But it started with Paul being provoked--an attitude of frustration mixed with pity.

Racists, atheists (God-haters), anarchists, bullies, abusers, fomenters, liars, slanderers, sluggards, (indifferent)—don’t let them draw you into a foolish fray. See them through heaven’s perspective and be provoked.

'The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming." Psalms 37:12‭-‬13

WMS

Exposing The Evil

It is hard to watch, but I believe God is exposing the evildoers in and across governments. When God uncovers corruption in a leader, or group, it is up to the body of Christ to cooperate with Him. He wants to drain the swamp. "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:11.

Now is your chance to break free from the lies handed down to you by well-meaning parents or false teachers. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8.

You may have previously bought into the narrative, into the meme, but now you see it for what it is."For the time has  come  for judgment (discernment) to begin at the house of God..." I Peter 4:17.

God is watching to see who is truly aligned with the truth. Are you judging (discerning) the truth? Are you paying attention to what is going on? Do you love the truth more than your own political party? Do you love the truth more than your denomination's traditions?

Are you apathetic after learning the truth or does it stir your faith to action? "...because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved...God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth..." II Thessalonians 2:10‭-‬12.