Revelation 3:16

 REVELATION 3:16?  Don't you mean JOHN 3:16, you ask?

Most people, whether they consider themselves spiritual/religious or not, know the verse written to us through  John concerning God's love for us and the gift of salvation He offers.  It's true - all we have to do is trust in Jesus' saving blood to be accepted into the glorious kingdom of our Heavenly Father.  But did you know it goes further than that?

In Revelation, God once again speaks to us through John.  In the scripture I'm referring to, God is telling the churches where they stand in his eyes.  When he comes to the church from Laodicea, this is what he instructs John to tell us:  "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!"

I have had a heavy heart for quite a while now concerning this verse.  God bluntly tells us to be on one side or the other, we don't have the option of riding the fence.  We don't get to choose when we go to church. Or once we're there, whether or not to show reverence.  We don't get to choose whether or not we spend time in the Word each day.   We don't get to choose whether or not the words that come out of our mouths are uplifting, or to treat our spouses with Christ-like love, or to show thanks for the food we eat, to teach our children God's laws and respect for them, and the list could go on.

Can you imagine facing your Saviour and He can hardly look at you because you couldn't fully decide if you wanted to follow Him or the world.  Refer back to the list above for a minute:
    Let's say that someone missed church last week, the week before, made it three and four weeks back, but missed   week five.  But can say they saw every home team ball game.  Or the big game on t.v.  They didn't miss Aunt Lucy's tea party and they caught the big sale at the mall.  Is that the reason you're going to give?  That you attended the event of the year Saturday night?  You are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, He DIED for you.  Can't you give a couple of hours on Sunday morning to worship Him?  If you claim to be God's child, you need to be in the pew seat of the church - any church - EVERY Sunday-  that allows you to give that special time to Him.  How awful He must feel when someone chooses a nap over acknowledging Him as God.
    Imagine you're at church and Jesus was physically there among you.  Really...how would you act? Would you sneak out the phone for a quick text?  Bounce up and down not because the spirit is leading you, but because it's "cool" to be "cool" in church.  God is not about "cool". He does not care that if the world was to come in they would feel like they belong, he does not care if our children are having fun by running up and down the aisle playing tag.  It is church...it is the place we go to prepare our hearts for worship - -not fitting in.
    We didn't read any verses from the Bible, but did you see that Sport's Illustrated/Good Housekeeping/Farm Journal  article on such-and-who?
    Man, we sure told that guy...didn't we?
  
God tells us that we can only have it one way.  When we choose something over Him, its not that we're choosing that 'thing', its that we're NOT choosing God.  And I can't imagine being face to face with my Saviour trying to talk my way out of why I decided that something was more important.  And I can't imagine being spit out of His presence.  I challenge you to consider the same things.  Are the things that you're doing in your life making you just lukewarm for God.  Are the things that are keeping you from your dedication and commitment to the worship of an Almighty God going to ultimately land you in a big pile with others who couldn't decide whether or not they wanted to follow Him?

You may ask where this is all coming from?  From two places really.
    The first, this past Sunday, my family missed church.  It was one of those things that we could have made it if we really wanted to.  We had been sick all week, Caleb had thrown up every other day and Sunday was the next day in the pattern.  But we had been symptom free for 24 hours.  Do we go or not?  Out of consideration for our friends and family, we (and our germs) stayed home.  There are times when we just cannot make it, due to extreme weather or illness.  But sitting at home all Sunday morning, the thought that I was CHOOSING to not choose church and this verse kept going over and over in my head.  How must God be looking at me at that moment - I could just see him with a big bite of Amanda, swishing me back and forth from side to side deciding whether or not I was going to be spit away or not.
    The second, it grieves me to see my family in Christ not only becoming more and more lukewarm, but starting to get downright chilly.  The things (excuses) that are used for not being present are widespread, but whatever it is for not being HOT for God is sending us in a downward spiral.  God calls us to be HOT!   Not if we feel like it, but to be HOT!  Not if we want to catch the game or take a little trip.  To be HOT!!!  There are other days to go somewhere, other games to watch, different parties to attend, later to do more chores, the magazines will still be there, another sale to catch....we are to be HOT!!!!

I didn't go to Bible college.  I'm not a pastor. Or a motivational speaker.  I'm just me, sharing what I think He wants us to remember.   And so my challenge to you is this:  You've memorized John 3:16.  Now memorize Revelation 3:16 and think about it every time something "more important" comes up.

And I'll be seeing you...same pew, same time...come Sunday.