Just how far away from what God has in mind am I? Am I on track with His divine intentions? Or, have I slipped into man's comfort shoes of religion? Do I live on His intentional edge? Or, could I be mesmerized into a churchy slumber?
Very likely I am far from His risky moves of ministry explosives.
Jim Cymbala states, We have so institutionalized Laodiceanism that we think lukewarm is normal. Laodicea, recall, is the church in the early part of the book of Revelation that was neither hot nor cold. Therefore, God spewed that group out of His mouth.
What causes mediocrity in the church members? You take a stab with your best guess. Mine is cowardice. We want peace which interpreted can mean, Leave me alone to serve where I want. Do not press me else I will bolt.
Intimidation often rules. This is why so many don't sing. They don't want to be heard. Others don't serve. They don't want to be seen. Yet, others sneak in and sneak out. They don't want to be in contact.
Living in the kingdom is a scary, threatening, and risky walk. Institutionalization, however, has declared immunity to the timid. Following Jesus demands we take up our crosses; not sneaking about in dark alleys at night going undetected, but bravely moving about in the public square destined for ridicule and persecution.
Being a disciple of Jesus is a very public thing. It takes courage to be a follower.
If we are to break the self-jailing bonds of institutionalization, we will have to develop a singular courage. The only place to hide is in Jesus....and he was tortured and then died before the valiant resurrection defeated all enemies.
A shift has taken place in the church. We have transitioned to personal preferences rather than daring living for the Cause. Cowardice breeds institutionalization of the intended body of Christ. Such stagnancy is the Ebolo of Jesus on earth today. It is infectious to the point that we call mediocrity good.
Standing for Him, admittedly, can come off as belligerently egotistical. This is not true discipleship; yet simply another misstep of man's lukewarmness. Being His runs wide open into and through His leadership which is full of risk and stress.
This old world is in very dire straits. The escape is clearly and only found in Jesus. The pressure is mounting. The redeemed must open our quieted lips with expression of overjoy and radiant hope in the Savior of all. May we think of ways to break the bonds of institutionalized lukewarmness.
May the world know of the One we call Master.
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