Either, Or or In the Middle

Either, Or or In the Middle “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. Revelation 3:14-16 In our moment by moment spiritual life we have three possible states of being. We are either walking in the Spirit, walking in the flesh or we are in the middle between the two. To walk in the Spirit is to be entirely focused on and receptive to the inspiration that comes to us internally from God in Christ through the Spirit.  Walking in the Spirit is the only way we can absolutely enjoy victory over the flesh.  This is described as being in a state of intense, inner spiritual influence or being “hot.” To walk in the flesh is to be entirely focused on and receptive to the inspiration that comes from spiritual forces that do not wish us well and receptive to the desires for satisfaction found in whatever our own minds, emotions and will put before us.  This is described as being in a state of intense spiritual influence that does not come from God or being “cold”. To walk in the middle of these two states as if we cannot decide between either is to be entirely focused on and receptive to neither. This makes us useless for either.  This is described as being in a state of indecision or being “lukewarm.” At any moment we are in one of these three states. Unfortunately most believers are in the middle or lukewarm.  God demands by his reaction (vomiting!)  we be either/or and never in the middle. We must be able to discern which state is ours moment by moment.  We must choose which one is to be our way of life.  God in Christ has made this choice ours to make and make it we must. If we find ourselves in the cold or middle state spiritually, the quickest way to return to walking in the Spirit is to know well the works of the Spirit, to know well the works of our flesh and to know well the works of our indecision. When the works of the flesh or indecision appear we must reject them (not fight them), submit to God and focus on our continuous spiritual, inner union with Jesus. To enjoy this return to faith, focus and inspiration in Christ’s Spirit, use a phrase like “Jesus, I am entirely yours!”  or  “Jesus, you are welcome in my life!”  No matter how many times a day you must use this phrase or another like it, do not stop in the middle!  Choose again and again. James 1: 5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Moment by moment. Hot or cold.  Either or.  Choose now and choose again and again.  Walking in the Spirit will become your continuous choice over time.   Bud McCord Abide International