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Lukewarm water has a soothing effect on a bather’s nerve- it helps relax a troubled mind. But it’s not good for you to be neither hot nor cold spiritually- a lukewarm Believer!

      Lethargy is all too prevalent in the Congregation of Yahweh today! Many brethren complain of flagging interest and drive in daily prayer and Bible study. The easy chair, television and personal pursuits entice and capture the minds of too many. Real effort at being a Believer – at setting the proper example and getting along with people- is only minimally present in some people’s lives.

      Does this description apply to you? I knew a man years ago who said, “I dread the prophesied Great Tribulation, but I think it will take that horrifying ordeal before I can stir myself enough to make it into the Kingdom of Yahweh!” Another person I loved dearly could see the rapid approach of this horrible period on earth – the Great Tribulation – but still rejected Yahweh’s way of protection. The calm statement was: “I’ll just have to go through it with all the rest of the world, I guess.” Then perhaps I’ll understand and start doing something about it.” I myself have often said that it took the shock of combat in World War II to bring me to my knees, before Yahweh could begin to deal effectively with me.

      How many rough knocks do we need to bring us to our senses? Can Yahweh get through to us only through violent means? Let’s hope none of us have resigned ourselves to that approach in life.

The Laodicean attitude

Notice Yahshua’s warning to the Laodicean congregation:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

What an alarming statement, when we understand it! This is a warning about lethargy.

We are to be zealously active in fulfilling the great mission assigned to us today! The overcomers in each era – those who faithfully do their part – are promised a reward. Mere awareness of that reward is sufficient in some cases to keep those called by Yahweh striving to maintain closeness to Messiah. For some of us, however, the reward alone is not enough. Regrettably, it takes not just the offer of a reward but threats to life, health and well- being. That is the wrong attitude! Simply the promise by Yahweh of an eternal reward for our efforts today should be enough to motivate us to zeal and not only be motivated by tribulation.

If you are one of these, the Revelator continues: “Because you say, I am rich, and I am made rich, and I have need of nothing, and do not know that you are miserable and a wanderer and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy from Me gold having been fired by fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, and your shame and nakedness may not be revealed. And anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see. “I, as many as I love, I rebuke and I chasten.” Be zealous, then, and repent” (verses 17-19).

Elohim created us for His pleasure (Rev 4:11). Our purpose in life is to fulfill His will and perform the commission He gives us. We should be dedicated to this goal regardless of threats. We should not have to go through the fire- that is, if we understand our calling and are dedicated to becoming converted.

A lesson from Esau

Read about Esau’s tragic mistakes (Gen 25:29- 34). It is recorded to warn us not to take lightly our present calling. It took some time for Esau to realize the error of his way. By then he had seared his conscience and was unable to grasp the meaning of real repentance. The same danger now faces you! Some have said they will pass up all opportunities to become converted in this age, hoping to come up in the second resurrection. They cling to the hope that Yahweh will give them a second chance. Then they will be much more apt to overcome and apply themselves zealously to serving Yahweh, knowing it will be their last chance for life!

That approach, along with the Laodicean attitude, is not sound reasoning. Heb 9:27 clearly states “it is appointed to all men once to die and then judgment.” There is no second chance. Can you afford to take that chance?

Even though Esau sought to rectify his error, he failed: “That not any fornicator, or profane one, as Esau, who for one meal gave up his birthright; for you know also that afterwards desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, although seeking it out with tears”(Heb 12:16-17).

Don’t despise the high calling you have of Messiah – don’t ever take it lightly. If you have truly been called, this is the only chance you will have (Heb 10:26-27). It is worth more than all the material wealth and physical pleasures that attract you so strongly today.

Messiah’s easy yoke

Yahweh desires above all things that you prosper and are in good health, now and forever in His Kingdom (3rd John 1:2). Messiah has provided you with the goal, the example, the environment and the power needed to attain that great prize. Pick your tools carefully, for if you have slipped into lethargy you will require the very best ones available. Look to the superb example – Messiah Himself. Fasten your eyes on the goal. Call upon the promised power of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, Messiah will make all your burdens light. He has never broken a promise – not one. “Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest. Bear my yoke upon you and learn from me. That I am tranquil and I am meek, and in my heart you will find tranquility in your souls. For My yoke is pleasant, and My burden is light” (Mat 11:28-30).

Your contract with Yahweh

You signed a contract with Yahweh at baptism. You surrendered your life to Him to use as He saw fit. Your end of that contract, the most important covenant into which anyone can enter, was to draw constantly closer to Yahweh through prayer, Bible study and practicing His way of life. He, in turn, guarantees eternal life with Him! The stakes are extremely high. They are attainable, though, if you keep your part of the contract and draw on Yahweh’s power to help you do so.

At conversion you sampled Messiah’s yoke and His burden. Have you forgotten? Did you not understand at that time what you had committed yourself to perform? Messiah is our Leader in all things. His way of life is not the popular or easy way. The message He brought from Yahweh the Father antagonized those of His generation, and after rejecting Him they slew Him. Messiah forewarned all who were to follow Him: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:19). Remember that warning, and the burden that came upon you? You rejoiced that you were counted worthy to suffer for Messiah’s sake!

Lifelong friends, associates and even your own close relatives turned away from you in dismay over your newfound direction in life. Some left you in sorrow; others shunned you in anger.

Even your livelihood came into jeopardy and, in some cases, finding new employment and a new home became necessary. You suffered.

Your children suffered, and you along with them, in their bewilderment. You counted the cost and willingly paid the price for conversion and the promise of eternal life. You accepted these adjustments in your lifestyle.

Now, years down the line, these early commitments may have grown dim – perhaps you have forgotten them. The early challenges of learning Yahweh’s will- or eagerly stepping out in faith with the help of Elohim’s Spirit – have faded with the routine of everyday Believers living. Bible study is stale, less challenging and, therefore, has become sporadic. Prayer is somehow less meaningful.

How to get “back on track”

Don’t wait for another major crisis- or the worldwide cataclysm of the Great Tribulation- to smash you between the eyes! Satan has an arsenal full of weapons to strike you down permanently. Let that realization sink home- let it stir you to furious, righteous anger with the devil, and revive your determination to turn wholeheartedly to Messiah. Rely on His promise of divine help – He will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5).

No Laodicean is going to rejoice in the Great Tribulation to come. He may survive it and ultimately be in the Kingdom of Yahweh. Certainly, the Tribulation will straighten out most lukewarm Believers and put them back on the right track. But you don’t need that remedy, nor should you want it! Go to your knees even if you must force yourself to do so! Cry out to Yahweh for help. Talk it all out with Him.

Confess your lethargy, your lackadaisical attitude, to Him. He will hear and He will answer. Then stir up your interest in reading the Bible daily. When was the last time you read it through word for word? Or does that bore you? If so, try chain-referencing different subjects in your margin. Go to your minister for ideas and help.

Invite your minister to begin a regular, small Bible study in your home for friends and brethren in your part of the community. You will have helped others find solution to the same problems. Your minister will be able to fathom the difficulties you face. He can initiate ways to rescue you from the Laodicean pitfall into which some brethren have stumbled.

Rejoice in the great Work you were called to perform and help build the unity so necessary to the body of Messiah (1st Cor 1:10) Give! It’s so rewarding now and will be for all eternity. Soon you can rejoice in a battle well fought and won with Yahweh’s promised help.

Yahweh’s Kingdom is just around the corner!