This Week's Devotional | 2004 Devotionals | 2005 Devotionals

Wholeheartedness
Reference: Revelation 3:14-21

If we look closely at our lives today, you will find that the things we work for and think that will last for eternity are likely to evaporate to nothing. At the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves: What is our treasure? Where is our heart?

The Laodicean church in Revelation 3 was lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. The Lord said to the Laodicean church, “Because you are lukewarm I am about to spit you out of My mouth”.

What does ‘lukewarm’ mean? What causes it? How to prevent it and what is the remedy?

Being lukewarm is not showing much enthusiasm and interest, being half-baked, being half-hearted. Jesus wants us to have a distinctive quality. Either you are cold or hot for the things of God. This means you are either boiling hot or freezing cold. He wants our wholehearted commitment to Him.

Wholeheartedness is not fanaticism. Fanaticism is having wholeheartedness without reason. Commitment without reflection is fanaticism. Reflection without commitment is no real commitment.

How did the Laodicean church become lukewarm? The church became self-reliant and not God dependent. That is one reason for their lukewarm state. What value do we place in our relationship with Jesus? Why do we chase for the crumbs of the world instead of chasing for the bread of Christ? Jesus gives all of us a choice. We can either sup with Him or be spat out by Him.

Reflection:
Is God the focus of your life? Mark 12:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Do you let anything take the place of God in your life? Matthew 6:33
Are you wholeheartedly obedient to His word? John 14:21-23 and 1 John 5:3-4
Are you always longing for Him, thirsting for Him? Psalm 42 and Philippians 3:10

- Rev Vincent Goh

 

 

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