Who Am I?

 Have you ever wondered who you are or why you are alive? If you are born again, you would be appreciative of God's love and mercy. It is a good thing to reflect on God's graciousness from time to time. You may have been born into a Christian home, with parents who were Christians. Give thanks to God for that. As one who was not so fortunate but who later was saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), I am eternally grateful to God for delivering me from sin and death and I often marvel at the love and compassion of God. Do you? Have you paused to consider where you might be if God had not stretched forth His hand towards you?

The Christian music group, Casting Crowns, wrote a song titled, 'Who Am I?. It's a powerful song and some of its lyrics are shown below:

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean (ocean)
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am...
I am Yours, I am Yours

Today is a new day, the day that the LORD Himself has made. To gain an appreciation of His enormous power and might, let's read from the book of Genesis

"In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day ... Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:1-5, 26-28, AMP)

God performed an awesome work, calling things into existence in accordance with His plan. There was no randomness, no off-the cuff actions, no presumptuous actions, or mindless activities. Everything that occurred was orchestrated in an orderly fashion at the highest level of excellence and creativity. It was simply indescribable. Think about it. God created DNA long before the scientists discovered it; He brought into existence countless species of plants and animals: He created the stars, planets and moons; He brought forth the oceans, rives, lakes and streams; He placed the mountains and hills in their positions and He created air (which is not only made up of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide but also inert gases) for us to breathe. Amazing!!

"By volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1% at sea level, and 0.4% over the entire atmosphere." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Earth)

God is good and kind and His mercy endures forever (Psalm 138). Without Him we would be doomed. For those who are still rebellious against Him, He is patient towards them just as He was patient towards the people in the time of Noah. He waited 100 years for their repentance, the time it took Noah to build the ark (Genesis 6 and 7). 

To the Church in Philadelphia, Jesus said

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." (Revelation 3:8, NKJV)

God knows you by name, after all He created you. He has not changed and He will never change. Even though we are frail, here today gone tomorrow, sometimes tossed to and fro by the waves of life, at times feeling our hearts and minds waver ever so slightly or by leaps and bounds, we belong to God and He is glad to identify with us and be our Father. Incredible!

By His grace we can say with Apostle Paul, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Corinthians 4:8). Troubles come, tribulations encroach upon us, challenges stretch us but inevitably we are loved with an inexhaustible, unconditional love by God. Hallelujah!! God is colour-blind in the sense that it does not matter whether you are black, white, red, yellow, red or whatever colour you think you are, He is there for you. 

Who am I? -  A child of God, washed in the Blood of Jesus, forgiven and saved, a disciple of Jesus, an ambassador for Christ, a minister of the Gospel given the ministry of reconciliation and equipped with the message of reconciliation. All by the grace of God. Who are you? 

Nobody is better than you and you are not better than anyone else. The composer of the song, 'Who Am I', sang 'I am Yours, I am Yours'. That is phenomenal. The Bible says 

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

If you  are born again the above passage is true about you. We (you and I) belong to God, the temple of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price - the Blood of Jesus. The devil cannot touch us because God is with us and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). This is fantabulous. We have our identity in Christ Jesus; once we were lost but now we have been found; once we were darkness but now we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). We are not accidents or creations of mindless and chaotic events. God created us and knew us before we entered our mothers' wombs. That is to say before your parents met, God has already designed and created you. Really amazing!!

God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

You see, you are a vessel of honour in His hands. You may be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher with gifts to match. That is great but remember God is your Father and He will never cast you away. Rejoice in Him.  I pray that this would encourage you today. GOD HAS YOUR BACK.

Are You Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (Revelation 3:14-22)

In thinking about fruitfulness, it is fair to say that there can be no fruitfulness without discipleship. True discipleship is impacted by one's spiritual condition, whether hot, cold or lukewarmness. Jesus detests lukewarmness.

1. Introduction:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)

That's what the Christians in Laodicea heard. What do you think Jesus would say about you and members of your church?

Apostle John was banished to the island of Patmos for his faith. He suffered greatly but in the midst of the sufferings, came forth a revelation from the Lord. It is said that Apostle John was sent to Patmos after an attempt to kill him in boiling oil failed. Nothing happened to him after he was plunged into the boiling oil.

You may be passing through the valley of the shadow of death, through the fire, experiencing some dire circumstances, wondering where God is in all that. He is not too far away; infact, He is close by reaching out His hand to comfort you in the midst of your tribulation. God is near. Jesus says:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, MEV)

“Neither cold nor hot … lukewarm. This describes the spiritual condition of the church in Laodicea. The city of Laodicea was a wealthy centre of business and trade. The atmosphere of prosperity had led to spiritual laziness and unconcern in the church. They were no longer “hot” enough spiritually to recognize or respond to the Holy Spirit’s guidance; and they were not quite “cold” enough to realize their need to repent and return to dependence on God." (Fire Bible)

Many Christians believe that the word 'cold' used in Revelation 3:14-22 refers a backslidden state. NOT QUITE SO!! Jesus was okay with the Laodicean Christians being either cold or hot. The word cold is used in the sense of Christians having a refreshing quality. Are you refreshing?

2. Reference to Cold and Hot:

“Neither cold nor hot: Cold springs are refreshing; hot mineral springs are medicinal; lukewarm is nauseating.” (Spirit-Filled Bible)

Nauseating - causing a feeling of disgust, utter revulsion tending toward vomiting.

• The Greek word used in the passage in Revelation 3 for "cold" is “psuchros” which means - cold, cool, as of cool water. This Greek word is used only four times in the Bible, three (3) times in our study text (Revelation 3) and once (1) in Matthew 10:42 - 

“And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you, he shall in no way lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42, NKJV)

“Psuchros” gives an indication of an inherent quality.

The Greek word for cold in in Matthew 24:12 is "psucho" which means - breathe, blow, cool by blowing; to be made or grow cool or cold.

“Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

“Psucho” gives an indication of a causal effect. That is to say, an event occurred because of another event. In Matthew 24:12, the love of many waxes cold (effect) because of the abundance of iniquity (cause).

“The allusion here may be to the nearby hot and cold springs, both of which were decisively useful: the cold springs were a source of refreshment and the hot springs were used for health and hygiene. But lukewarm water was beyond disappointing; it was relatively useless. Those who are lukewarm may have just enough pretense of religion to cause them to think they are okay. However, God desires wholehearted, sincere devotion.” (New Quest Study Bible)

“Hot” may refer to the hot, medicinal waters of nearby Hierapolis; “cold” to the cool mountain streams of nearby Colossae. Aqueducts brought water from these locations to Laodicea, and it was known for being tepid by the time it arrived. The church in Laodicea was similarly “lukewarm,” supplying neither healing for the spiritually sick nor refreshment for the spiritually weary.” (NIV Study Bible Notes)

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.( Revelation 3:15-18) 

“Jesus tells the smug and self-satisfied members of the Laodicean church that they are essentially useless to Him. They had chosen comfort over spiritual combat, and their complacency nauseated Jesus.” (Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible)

There is nothing about us that Jesus does not know. Everything is bare before Him. The Laodicean Christians thought they were doing well but in reality they were far away from God. Their chosen path was one scripted very carefully by the devil. They may have been hot or cold previously but now they were like dung - useless, a waste of space. God has created you to be a vessel of honour in His hands. Step forward, press on and never give up.

“Sadly, the speaker's (Jesus’) knowledge reveals an unqualified condemnation of the Laodicean church—a verdict that is the exact opposite of the church's own evaluation (v.17). Their deeds were "neither cold nor hot." This expression may refer to their lack of zeal (v.19) or their uselessness, for Christ says, "I wish you were either one or the other" (lit., "either cold or hot"). There is good reason not to understand this expression as if Christ meant, "I wish you were either spiritually cold (i.e., unsaved or hostile) or spiritually hot (i.e., alive and fervent)." It is inconceivable that Christ would wish that people were spiritually cold in this sense. Furthermore, the application of "hot" and "cold" to spiritual temperature, though familiar to us, would have been foreign to first-century Christians. The two adjectives in "neither hot nor cold" should be understood together as equivalent to "lukewarmness" (v.16). That is to say, they were useless to Christ because they were complacent, self-satisfied, and indifferent to the real issues of faith in him and of discipleship.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

According to Jesus, the lukewarm Christian says ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ but is really wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. In spite of their pronouncements, lukewarm Christians are spiritually naked, no armour of protection, open to affliction by the devil, an eyesore to God, and exhibiting symptoms of misery, blindness and wretchedness. The lukewarm Christian is like vomit, no use whatsoever - repulsive, sickening and a potential danger to the flock of Jesus Christ. 

Are you hot, cold or lukewarm?

3. Who is the lukewarm Christian?

Middle-of-the-road Christian who is politically correct, very diplomatic; does not want to offend anyone and so toes the line of everyone; never speaks out against evil claiming that speaking out will be judgemental; wants to be friends with everyone; is more interested in acceptability by everyone rather than standing for the truth; preaches an acceptable message instead of the truth; is very relativistic which basically means that boundaries can be extended or contracted; absoluteness is anathema (something detested or shunned). Basically the lukewarm Christian is someone who has lost his or her love for Jesus, who simply goes through the motions, is inwardly fed up with the demands of our faith, and would not mind compromising. In his or her mind, compromising a little is nothing to worry about; embracing a few worldly standards to them is not a big deal; their main focus is on status, wealth, prestige, applause and earthly connectivity. They fail to realize that we are nothing (in spite of our academic achievements, talents and abilities, good looks and status) without Jesus and that when we come to Jesus, He must be Lord and Master. He must call the shots. We either obey Jesus or place ourselves in the camp of the devil by our deliberate disobedience. We must decrease and Jesus must increase.

God gave Lucifer an opportunity to reconsider his decision to rebel against Him. But Satan was bent on rebelling against God, deceiving a third of the angels. The thought of perpetual subservience to God was just too much for him. SAD INDEED. Yet the one who is going to be used by God must surrender unconditionally to God and that means a subservient relationship because we are not and never will be mates with God.

1. A lukewarm church is one that is apathetic and negligent about personal devotion to Christ. It is a church that is half-hearted and lazy in its service to God. Such a church compromises with worldly standards and behaviours and soon resembles its surrounding society more than it does God’s Kingdom. The people of Laodicea church claimed to be committed Christians, yet in reality they were in a spiritually “wretched” and “pitiable” condition (vv.17-18)

2. Christ severely warns the church about his judgment against lukewarmness (vv.15-17)

3. Christ calls the church to repent, to turn from their own way, surrender to God’s way and accept His forgiveness. Then they can be restored to a right relationship with Him (vv. 18-19)

4. Christ knocks on the door of a lukewarm church (v.20), desiring to come in and restore His companionship and blessing with the people. To those who remain devoted and strong in their faith and are overcomers in the midst of a lukewarm church, Christ promises that they will share in His authority and ultimately reign with Him. (v. 21) (Fire Bible, ESV)

4. What is the remedy for lukewarmness?

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:19-22)

1. Repentance. We must live lives of repentance. 

2. Develop zeal for the Lord.

3. Buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire. Seek the treasures of Heaven rather than the perishable goods of this world. Re-evaluate your thoughts, ambitions, goals in life. Where your treasure is, there your heart is also (Matthew 6:21). Your treasure cannot be on the earth and your heart in Heaven. That is an impossibility.

4. Take your rightful place in the army of our Lord and Saviour. Assess your gifts and use them in the service of the Lord. Your service to the Lord should be your No. 1 responsibility.

5. Remember Jesus destests lukewarmness. He said he would spew the lukewarm Christians out of His mouth. That’s equivalent to vomiting. 

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:15-16‬, ‭AMP‬)

God wants us to be invigorating, and refreshing at times and at other times healing and therapeutic. He frowns at lukewarmness because it represents a state at variance with God's divine plans and purposes. Examine yourself.

Fear or Faith: One or the Other, Both or None

The words fear and faith have been pondered on by mankind for millenia to the extent that they have been used as acronyms. Not only that, they have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misapplied. There is irrational fear and healthy fear; there is blind faith and reasonable faith. Faith and reason are not mutually exclusive. In fact reason reinforces faith. Irrational fear is a weapon of Satan whereas healthy, godly fear is indispensable for the victorious believer.

• FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real

This type of fear is irrational fear. Irrational fear is debilitating; it paralyses individuals rendering them ineffective and both psychological and nervous wrecks. Such fear inhibits functionality. Are you fearful? Come to Jesus and He will set you free from the bondage of fear and of sin. If you are not set free from ungodly and irrational fear, it will be impossible to develop a healthy fear of God. No wonder the Bible says,

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

Fear is not the portion of a child of God in the Name of Jesus. However, we must fear God.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” ‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬,  NKJV)

“Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭5:22‬, ‭NKJV‬‬)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬, NKJV‬‬)

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:28‬, NKJV‬‬)

The Word of God states that to fear God is part of the whole duty of man. We are admonished time and time again in Scripture to fear God. Why? He is not our equal. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. His knowledge, wisdom and understanding are fathomless. He is perfect, holy, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He reigns above all. At His command, the heavens and the earth came into existence. He takes orders from no one and no one can stand against Him. Do you get the picture? He is not our mate and we are His friends to the extent He determines. We are not friends with Him because we hang out with Him. The truth of the matter is that we simply cannot hang out with Him, but we can worship Him in the beauty of holiness. He is the Creator of the universe - the complexity of the universe and even the human anatomy gives an indication of the infinite power and wisdom God has. Will you not fear Him? 

Moses wanted so much to see God’s glory and communicated his desire to God. Hear what God told Him 

“So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”  ‭‭(Exodus‬ ‭33:17-23‬, NKJV‬‬)

It is incredible. What did Moses see? How did He feel? What was going through His mind? Moses had an experience no other man will ever have and yet he did not enter the promised land. You simply cannot take God for granted. God will never change. His holy power and presence will incinerate any sin. No wonder Ananias and Sapphira fell down dead in the early church after lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11).

Interestingly, God does not want His people to be overwhelmed by irrational fear. He told Joshua not to be afraid. Jesus told His disciples not to fear those who can kill only the body but cannot kill the soul. God is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. 

The point here is that God is so much greater, wiser, powerful, knowledgeable than we are. We do not and will not compare to Him.  He created us and therefore we must have a holy reverence and fear of God. 

Having a healthy fear of God is appropriate and necessary. That in itself will eradicate the fear of man, circumstances or the devil. 

• FAITH - Forsaking All I Trust Him

The opposite of fear is faith. We should have reasonable faith, not blind faith. Having faith in God means trusting Him unreservedly and absolutely. The Bible says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

True and biblical faith is focused on God, not on what we want but on the Almighty God. When we focus on God, He will take care of everything that concerns us. In Mark 11:20-24, we read,

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:20-24)

Earlier on, Jesus had cursed a fig tree because it was essentially a waste of space, an unproductive and unfruitful tree, bearing no fruits whilst giving the appearance that it was useful. An unfruitful existence is out of order and contrary to God's Word and will. The disciples were astonished that the tree had dried up and Jesus admonished them to have faith in God. Basically, one who has faith in God trusts Him with everything. Having faith in God implies total surrender to His will. Having faith in God means disregarding evil reports and basing your view on the infallible Word of God. The Bible defines faith as

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:6, NLT) 

Faith ultimately points us to the reality of God. We are saved by grace through faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. We believe God by faith even when we do not understand what He is doing because He is good. We stand upon the promises of God in the good times and in the bad times,. We remain unshakable in our faith because God is unchangeable, immutable and unshakeable. He reigns in Heaven and on the earth. He is omnipotent and no one can tell Him what to do.

Having faith in God is one of the most sensible things to do. Where do you stand? We must fear God and have faith in Him. Do you? 

Remember if you do not fear God, then you fear something else. If you do not have faith in God, then you have faith in something else. May God give you the enablement to do the right thing. God bless you.