Out of curiosity, I decided to do a little research to find answers to the following questions:
- What is a cold and lifeless condition?
- What is it to be spiritually cold?
- What is it to be lukewarm?
I don’t know of anybody who considers themselves lukewarm, including me, but I was surprised at what I discovered.
“Some have fallen into a cold and lifeless condition spiritually because they are unfaithful servants.
- The love of the world has filled their hearts
- They have lost their relish for heavenly things
- They have become dwarfs in spiritual attainments.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 669.
I thought upon these things for a little while and then decided to go a little further in my research. As I read the following, I really became heartsick, because I knew the majority of us fall into many of these categories, even though we do not want to admit it.
“Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ are
- Becoming conformed to this world and
- Seek more earnestly the applause of those around them than the approbation of God.
- They are cold and formal, like the nominal churches.” Early Writings, 107.
The devil does not care how he gets us, but he does it in a very sneaky way so that we do not notice until we are asleep.
“Love of self excludes the love of Christ. Those who live for self are ranged under the head of the Laodicean church who are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. The ardor of the first love has lapsed into a selfish egotism. The love of Christ in the heart is expressed in the actions. If love for Christ is dull, the love for those for whom Christ has died will degenerate. There may be a wonderful appearance for zeal and ceremonies, but this is the substance of their self-inflated religion. Christ represents them as nauseating to His taste.” Our High Calling, 348.
These things were eye-openers for me. I hope you are as concerned as I am for our spiritual condition for it is either for life or for death. Ask yourself: “Am I lukewarm?” “Am I in a cold, lifeless condition spiritually?” Be honest!
Heavenly Father: Thank You for warning us through these writings of our danger. We can slip away so gradually into Laodicean slumber pot without even realizing it until it will be too late. Please let the Holy Spirit arouse us from our slumbers that we may walk in step with You. Wake us up Lord! Amen.