Not infrequently, several believers end up entering a state of spiritual lukewarmness after a while.
The reasons why this happens are diverse, and we can discuss them in a future publication.
In this one, we are interested in answering the question of how to overcome spiritual lukewarmness?
For this, I want us to start from the most representative text on this subject, which is found in the Bible in the book of Revelation.
It reads as follows:
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 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.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.
So be earnest and repent.
Apocalipsis 3: 15-16; 18-19
These are words that were expressed by the Lord Jesus to the church of Laodicea.
In their experience, we can find a clear definition of what spiritual lukewarmness means.
They were going through a situation where they had deceived themselves, in their judgment they were perfectly fine before God when they weren’t.
They still retained the form and truth of the gospel to a degree sufficient to think they still retained the gospel, but not to a sufficient degree for it to have a profound impact on their lives.
Their condition was that of a total absence of poverty in spirit and spiritual contentment that could be defined as mediocre.
That is, they consented or unconsciously felt that they were good enough, and that they did not need further improvements or reforms in their walk with God.
Many of us are living in the same sad situation today.
Lost with the truth.
There are among Christians today who have settled for the idea of “being good people,” and we rely on our own righteousness to be saved.
In other cases, we simply do not have the interest or determination to overcome certain sins or continue to give the spiritual fight that is so necessary.
We are therefore in greater danger than the unsaved, since they would at least recognize their sinfulness.
Let’s look at God’s message to this community, and see how it should be applied to us.
First, in the statement “I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you may be rich,” the remedy that Jesus gives to their lukewarmness begins with the understanding that both gifts and spiritual merits are a divine concession.
Thus, they are called to humility, to recognize that God is the source of all true spiritual good and not themselves.
They are invited to turn to God in search of such important riches, for only He can provide them.
Similarly, you and I today should take our gaze off ourselves and understand that every good gift comes from the father of lights.
A humble realization that any goodness in our character, or any blessing obtained, is nothing more than a gift from God for which Jesus paid on the cross.
Therefore, we can not boast about it, but in everything, we must give glory to God and thank him.
Then, through the statement: “I advise you to buy from me (…) white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness,” they are informed of another need.
While they thought of themselves dressed in good works and merits, God saw them naked.
They needed to re-accept Christ’s righteousness over them, as the only merit of salvation, which will cover their own insufficient merits.
Accept from God the white garments that were being provided to them.
In the same way, we today, from our lukewarmness, need to turn our eyes to Jesus and embrace his merits as the only ones we have to be accepted by the father.
Finally, through the statement: “and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” they are urged to open their eyes from the blindness they had which plunged them into error.
How many times does it happen that we measure ourselves by comparing ourselves to others, instead of comparing ourselves to a “me” of the past?
Clearly, this leads us to the mistake of thinking that we are good because others are in no better condition.
However, the request we are made is to make a sincere assessment of our actual spiritual situation.
To see ourselves in God’s eyes and not in our own eyes.
A recognition of their many spiritual shortcomings would lead them and us to have genuine repentance.
Then, embracing the merits of Christ, we can return to the right path.
It is my wish and my prayer that you may, with God’s help, continue to advance in your walk with Him, each day closer.
From glory to glory.
I know that this is also your wish.
A hug and God bless you.
Do you find yourself going through a situation of spiritual lukewarmness? What is your experience of this? Share with all of us to grow together.
