Leadership

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Learning how to live a Christian lifestyle is a never-ending struggle that usually shows signs of our humanly weaknesses as well as allowing judgmental attitudes to sneak into our lives. No one is ever going to get it right, because no one is perfect. However, according to Colossians, after Christ's work on the cross, we were made perfect (Colossians 2, 3). It is possible to live perfectly, Jesus actually urged us to(Matt. 5:48). This verse shows us that this is the expectation of us since Christ died for us and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. This is the expectation, but it is not a necessity. I know that sounds confusing and perhaps I could find better words but let me give you an example. The great pitcher, and now part owner, of the Texas Rangers Nolan Ryan, instituted a mentality into a struggling pitching staff. He came in and challenged all of the starting pitchers to make it into the seventh inning. He pushed them, encouraged them and, in some cases, left them out there to get beat up. The reasons for doing this is to instill work ethic, determination and perseverance. Now, even though the expectation was for each starting pitcher to reach the seventh inning, Ryan still knew that it would not always be the case because bad nights, weather and other teams hitting the ball will happen. But you see, no matter what the situation was, the expectation of each of these pitchers was to start, work hard and efficiently and make it possible for them to make it that far in the game. These pitchers going into games with that mentality greatly improved their pitching. I could give you all the stats, but most likely you are indifferent to baseball stats. Here are links to their season stats from pre-Nolan Ryan to him being there the last few years.

Because of the large price Christ paid for us and our sins, doesn't it make sense that He would expect us to be perfect as He was? I am asking you to jump outside of your normal box of thinking here, but If Christ was human and He lived perfectly, and then died so that we could live without condemnation, isn't His expectation of us going to be great just as His was for His life? I think the answer is yes. Christ could not have died and paid such a high price so that we could be idle with our lives and the reward we received from His sacrifice. I choose not to demean what He did by saying He does not expect the best from us. He deserves our best! I do not want this to discourage you, because our choices are imperfect. This is such a paradox that it is incredibly difficult to wrap our heads around it. It is not okay to settle for good, but God realizes were are driven by our flesh at times. We can be perfect and live perfectly, because Christ died so that we can be made perfect and choose to live by Heavenly things. But that will be a constant struggle all throughout our lives. So take heart, we are covered by grace in this never-ending conquest of being "Christlike".

What I want to get at with this article is the story of the Church at Laodicea in Revelation 3. Here is the content:

"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. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The story of the lukewarm church is extremely relevant today, at least in my opinion. Some things we can gather from this passage is that, first, God would rather us be cold, running in the opposite direction of Him, that to be lukewarm. Being lukewarm means that we are saying we are a Christ follower, but acting in a completely different manner. God would rather you curse Him that proclaim His name and not live a holy life. If you think about it, God liking someone who hates Him more than someone who "follows" Him but does not live it out, is a pretty large statement, one that many of us would rather not hear or learn. But it is true, His Spirit revealed that to us. Another thing we see here is that a lukewarm Christian makes God vomit. I like the NKJV because it uses this harsh word. Other translations use "spit" (NIV), or "spew" (KJV), but when you study the words, they all mean the same. When a Christian proclaims God's name to the world, but does not walk in the light of His glory, that type of person makes God sick to His stomach, and then He throws us up. Hmm... Are we getting the picture? I am in no way saying I am perfect, or even close for that matter, but choosing to walk in His light will entail constant forgiveness, repentance and genuine praise that leads to a life of ministering to anyone you talk to.

This is the key. Our lives as Christians will never be a finished product. I have a friend who told me that, "We may not be sinless, but we can sin less." Any sin in our life is not an end-all, fact of our lives. You are not determined by your struggles, they are not your identity. We can be transformed by faith in Christ and allowing Him to dwell and work in us, but we have to be open to taking part in the greatest struggle in our lives. We are covered with Christ's blood that was shed on the cross, and we are made pure and spotless in His eyes. My challenge to all of us is to have this mentality in our lives as opposed to "being stricken with sin". That is a terrible mindset to have because it gives power to the enemy. Don't do that! View yourself as Christ sees you, a pure and spotless creation by God who has authority and is an heir with Christ to God's kingdom. We can be perfect, we just need a change in our mentality from doomed to sin to deemed to righteousness. Do not be lukewarm, if you love Christ, prove it! If you have purpose, show it! If you know you are God's child, start living it! Children have access to everything the Father has. Those who are slaves to sin do not.

Romans 8:12-20:

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." (NKJV)

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