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L
ukewarm hearts practice a form of Christianity that conforms to their spiritual
condition. Settled in the pews of mediocrity, they find complacency and
security in drinking warm milk; they do not possess the teeth with which to
chew on the solid spiritual food that the Scriptures provide to those who
hunger for truth. “Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to
understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the
breast.” Isaiah 28:9. They raise up for themselves preachers that will tickle
their ears. They find a church that fits. “For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears.” II Timothy 4:3. They have taken up
the name of Christ as an amulet, an icon, which they take wherever they choose
to go; rather than allowing the Spirit of Christ to lead them. “For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14. Not
possessing an inward conversion, they profess a form of religion without the
power of the Spirit of God. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.” II Timothy 3:5. At best, will only display a
show of empty formalism whose only fruits are dead works. “And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” II Timothy
4:4. The power of the living God fills our spirit, satisfying our thirst for
truth. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for
they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6. When exposed to the truth, the Holy Spirit
of God will correctly guide, leading us forward to embrace it. “And thy ears
shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it.” Isaiah
30:21. Seek God’s word to nourish and
strengthen your faith “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
of God.” Romans 10:17. Trust in our loving Saviour, for He will not lead us
astray. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the
power of God.” I Corinthians 2:5. We need the spiritual training to trust in
Him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3. This is of most importance, if we
are to be taught in the school of Christ “But the anointing which ye have
received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as
the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and
even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.” I John 3:27. This is a
stumbling block for many, for they find it much easier to put their trust and
belief in their church and their religious leaders-regardless of the errors
taught- than to discern the gift of the truth as our loving Saviour would
reveal to them, and choose Him. “But the natural man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14.
We must not fear the darkness of our own
ignorance “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for
the LORD (YAHUAH) is my strength and my song.” Isaiah 12:2. The flesh is enmity
against the Spirit. “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted
him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4:29. Battles
are fought and victories gained in a place far distant from our comfort zone.
“Fear thou not; for I Am with thee: be not dismayed; for I Am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10. The finest swords always begin as a
lump of iron. Through the slow and tedious process of burning out the
impurities, by heating and cooling to extremes, the rough form is carefully
tempered by the master swordsmith. It is forged into a new metal. It becomes
transformed. So must the soul be metamorphosed. We must allow the Master
Craftsman to engraft His imprint upon us, to purify and transform our minds and
hearts to a new existence, a consecration. This is the place where our
character will reflect the likeness of His image. With our carnal mind crucified,
self will no longer clamor to resist the influence of the Holy Spirit of our
Heavenly Father and of His only begotten Son. “I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave Himself for me.” Galatians 3:20. Where we once resisted, we will have
surrendered those areas, and instead we will yearn for Their presence. “With my
soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I
seek thee early.” Isaiah 26:9. We will desire to surrender to Christ His
rightful place and crown Him as the sovereign King of kings of our glowing
hearts. With filial devotion, obsequiously following Him-wherever He leads us.
Revelation 14:4, 5. Joseph Emilio Lahud September 2009
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