A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (August 22, 2016)
Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. (1 John 2:15-16, AMPC Bible)
If you have ever taken a driver’s license test you may have seen a multiple choice question on that exam which went something like this. What is the time of day when it is hardest to see and distinguish shapes and objects on the road? (1) Early morning (2) Late night (3) Twilight (the period between sunset and nighttime). The correct answer is (3) Twilight.
We live in South Georgia where the deer population is very abundant. As you drive down our country roads at night you need to always be on the lookout and alert for deer crossing the road or standing on the side of the road. My wife and I were driving home late yesterday on one of those country roads and it just became so real to me how hard it was to see deer during the twilight period which increases the chances of a tragic crash.
The spiritual implications of this are huge! Twilight is a mixture of a little light and a little darkness. It’s kind of like having one foot in the light (God’s kingdom) and one foot in the darkness (the world). When this happens, we are partially blinded. We cannot see things as they really are, which negatively effects our decision making and puts us in a place where we could be easily deceived.
Jesus actually talked about this type of compromised condition in Chapter 3 of the Book of Revelation when He addressed the Laodicean Church:
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)
This is my personal take on what Jesus is saying here. If you are all in with me (saved, hot, sold out), you are in a position of light and can see the truth clearly and can make right decisions. If you are cold (lost, in complete darkness), you are in a place where when light does come in it will dispel the darkness. But, if you are “luke warm” (one foot in the Kingdom and one foot out), you are in a very dangerous place of deception, your sight will be hindered and distorted, and you will be more susceptible to being deceived and making bad decisions.
Jesus did not want the Laodicean Church (or us) to stay in that type position so he gave them the following remedy which is available to all of us. He wants all of us “Hot” for our own good.
You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone, oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! (Revelation 3:17-21, The Message Bible)
The question is this. Which are you, hot, cold, or luke warm? Only you and God can answer that question!
