I am especially challenged about the temperature of my own heart whenever I consider the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:15-16:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
Think about these chilling facts:
To be cold-hearted means to be decidedly below normal; to be unemotional, unaware, unconscious of God! Imagine being unemotional about the things of God!
And then there’s the lukewarm heart. It’s only moderately warm; it’s indifferent! Imagine being indifferent toward God.
Hot- the third option- is where we want to be. Having a high temperature; characterized by violent activity, emotion, or passion; fiery; excited- now that’s the heart of someone committed to God!
Our heart for God should be like a boiling pot. Our heart should be characterized by God-given and intense emotion and passion for our Lord. After all, when a teakettle is boiling on your stove, you know it. It sputters and steams. It actually hops up and down and jiggles from side to side, empowered by it’s violent heat. Hot to touch, it shares the heat that is within. There is no way to ignore its fire. Likewise, we should be fiery and excited about God, and God Himself will fuel that fire.
That’s what I want for you- and for myself! I want Jesus’ presence in our lives to make a difference. I want our lips to speak of the great things He has done for us (Luke 1:49), to tell of His wonders (Psalm 96:3). “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2)!
My dear sister/brother, how would you rate your heart condition? I pray that you have given your heart to Jesus Christ, that you have entered into an eternal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. If you have, thank Him for the wonderful privilege of being called a child of God!
If you are unsure about where you stand with God or if you know quite clearly that you are living your life apart from God, confess your sin, invite Jesus to be your Saviour, and by so, welcome Christ into your life and become a new creature in Him (2Corinthians 5:17).
Your prayer might go something like this:
“God, I want to be Your child. I want to live my life in You and through You, and for You. I acknowledge my sin and receive Your Son, Jesus Christ, into my needy heart, giving thanks that He died on the cross for my sins. Thank You for giving me strength so that I can follow after Your heart.”
Again, open up your heart, invite Jesus in, and let Him make you what He desires.
Now you can begin- or begin anew- to put yourself in a position where God can grow in you a heart of devotion. Our goal is to have no will but His will! Right now utter a prayer for more heat!
-OMOSEBI Mary Omolola (PhD)
© 2016
