Todd, you’re leaving in just a few minutes,” Brian said. “Will you listen carefully to what I’m saying?”
Todd sighed. “Sure, Brian. Go ahead.”
“I just don’t want to quit having fun.”
“Todd, you can still have fun—but the right kind of fun. I gotta tell you, man, I’ve never been more fulfilled than since I totally gave my life to Christ.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it all, Brian. But I’m not sure I can quit doing the stuff I know God doesn’t want me to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Riding the fence—having a foot in the church and a foot in the world. He calls it being lukewarm.”
“That’s like room temperature.
“Yes, sort of. It’s a combination of hot and cold. He tells us to make a decision—to be really hot, or go ahead and be cold. But if we’re lukewarm (if we’re in the middle), He will spew us from his mouth.”
“Spew?! You mean like vomit?”
“Yeah, Brian said. “That’s pretty strong, huh?”
“Sure is,” Todd agreed. “okay, so here’s the deal, Brian. I’m scared. I’m afraid if I make a total commitment to Christ, I’ll fail. I’m human, man! What if I blow it?”
“That’s where forgiveness comes in. When you approach God with a repentant heart, He’ll forgive.”
“You mean I won’t have to start all over again?”
“No, Todd, you don’t have to start all over again. If you’re truly repentant and genuinely want to follow Christ with your life, He’ll forgive you when you ask. At that point, you accept His forgiveness and keep walking with Him.”
“That’s what I want, Brian! That’s what I really want!”
“Are you willing to give God all of your life—even the stuff you know doesn’t please Him?”
“Yeah, I am, Brian. I said it was fun … but it’s miserable at the same time. I’m tired of the guilt. If God can equip me to live the way He wants me to live, I’m ready to give Him everything.”
Readings:
1 John 1:5-6; 2:1-2; and Revelations 3:15-16.
Blesssings to you all!