Hope for the Wandering Heart

Temptations are coming at you and you notice your resistance is weaker. God’s Word seems uninspiring and your prayer life is weak and anemic. Even your affection for Christ is strangely dimming. What is going on? You may be falling into spiritual lukewarmness — but don’t despair. There is hope for you! The Savior is working on your behalf to pluck you from dullness of spirit and light a fresh fire in your spirit.

How good to know that Jesus has made his cleansing provision available not only to the hot but also to the lukewarm and the cold. He is available to wash away sin from any of us. We are not only forgiven but Jesus imputed his righteousness to us. It is important for every Christian to search their heart for lukewarmness — being assured that his Holy Spirit within us gives us power over sin.

Some of the hallmarks of a lukewarm Christian are prayerlessness; lack of interest in God’s Word; disobedience; little regard for the lost; neglect in gathering with other believers.

Jesus speaks to the lukewarm church in Revelation 3:15-16: “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Christ is talking specifically about the church in Laodicea which had become very complacent in their faith. But it is also a clear warning to every generation within the church.

Even though Jesus has a distaste for lukewarmness, he offers grace to whoever will respond to his warning. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (3:20-21).

Jesus wants your full affection! Don’t take God’s offer for granted, but search your heart. Your heart is precious to him and he has promised to bring you back to himself if you have wandered away.