Obsessed or Oppressed By Daniel Rendelman
Politics brings out the best and worst in people. Every 4 years in the United States a ruling President is chosen, and the road to the White House is paved with trash talking candidates who try to present themselves as the answer to every problem in the world. When it comes to voting it seems there are three types of people involved in the process.
First, there are those that simply see casting their ballot as part of an American duty. They are neither excited about the process nor annoyed by it. There are also those who, for whatever reason, ignore the madness and never enter the voting booth. Finally, we have the fanatical groups. These are folks who get highly involved in the politicking with calls, conventions, and craziness. Those excited about a certain politician might support them on Facebook, use a bumper sticker, or even raise money for their favorite candidate.
The whole political process can be very mesmerizing. Many years ago I was enthralled by it all and involved as any person could be. I made calls for national candidates, walked in a parade for a friend hoping to get elected, and even filled in for a hopeful politician that couldn't make it to a televised debate. Then one day, I woke up. Out of the political slumber I arose and realized that instead of advancing a political policy I needed to use my time advancing the kingdom of YHWH. I am so glad that bad dream ended when it did! Yet I was around the political circles long enough to hear a few good stoy...
The story is told of the time Barrack Obama was out jogging one morning along the parkway when he tripped, fell over the bridge railing and landed in the creek below. Before the Secret Service guys could get to him, 3 kids who were fishing pulled him out of the water. He was so grateful he offered the kids whatever they wanted. The first kid said, 'I want to go to Disney World & Barrack said, 'No problem, I'll take you there on Air Force One.' The second kid said, 'I want a new pair of Nike Air Jordan shoes. Barrack said, 'I'll get them for you and even have Michael Jordan sign them.' The third kid said, ' I want a motorized wheelchair with a built in TV and stereo headset.' Barrack was a little perplexed by this and said, 'But you don't look like you're handicapped. The kid said, 'I will be after my dad finds out I saved you from drowning.'
We may laugh at the politicians now but no one laughs when hundreds of millions of dollars are raised and spent on broken promises. It is interesting to note that the Bible classifies people spiritually the same way that people react to politics.
There are those that are not interested and simply ignore the issues of faith or freedom. These people are simply turned off and not attracted.
There are those who find it their duty to do it just to do it. These folks may vote, go to church or synagogue, read their Bible, tithe or pray but they do so out of obligation only.
There are those that are highly involved and sold out on an idea or inspiration. This group is red hot for their man, be it Y'shua or a hopeful politician. They think about his words and place their hope in his way of life.
Now, the question that must be answered is, "where do you fit in these three classes when it comes to the faith of the Bible?"
Are you tired of the whole process and obey only because you "have to" obey?
Do you wake up with heaven on your mind and a song of joy in your heart?
Where do you spend your time, money, or attention?
Are you an unbeliever, in the middle, or on fire for YHWH?
Throughout the Torah we can read of those in each area. Pharaoh's heart was set against YHWH - he was cold. Joshua had a "different spirit" and was committed to YHWH. Balaam was neither hot nor cold. Some days Balaam would hear from the Holy One and on other days he would get paid to curse YHWH's people. Can't you see the similarities?
Elijah was full of YHWH's power. Jezebel was completely evil and Ahab seemed to go with the flow. John the Baptizer was a fanatic, Herod's wife was set against the faith, and Herod liked to listen to the camel clad teacher. Hot, cold, lukewarm.
Joseph was a prophet for YHWH while his brothers flip flopped from obedience to sin and regret. Pharaoh was interested in Joseph's ability to tell the future and help Egypt but Pharaoh didn't want to follow YHWH. Pharaoh even offered the Hebrews a land that would separate the two groups. Over and over again we can read of those who were hot, cold, and lukewarm.
In politics we are told that the middle ground voters make the difference in elections. It's this class of the easily swayed that can turn a country from conservative to liberal overnight. These independents make up a large part of the religious world as well. Many believers are involved but not really interested. For these, the faith has become a constraint, or a limitation or a social club, or worse. The Bible calls such faith "lukewarm." And that's not a good description.
Recently I turned on my faucet for a nice glass of cold water. I pulled the knob towards cold and filled up my class. When I downed the cup I was unpleasantly surprised. The water was not hot, nor cold but tepid. My initial reaction was to spit out the gulp. Just think about it. A cold bath is good for a high fever or sore muscles. A hot tub is wonderful for relaxation or washing. Lukewarm bathwater isn't even appropriate for washing a dog. Iced tea is good. Hot coffee is great. But a Pepsi right above room temperature is nauseating. (Hand hot Coke is the same way, if that's your flavor!)
And just as lukewarm drink makes you want to spit; lukewarm faith makes the Almighty YHWH want to spew. This isn't just a message for those stuck in the religious circles of Christianity. "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation," Amos 6:1.
What may be the most frightening part of this is the realization a lukewarm believer may not be a believer in the first place. If you eat something that makes you sick and you have to spit it out then it doesn't go into your body and never becomes part of your body. There is no such thing as a "lukewarm Christian." Such an idea is an oxymoron.
Those who simply live a moderate faith of blind obedience or obligation might not be saved from eternal death after all. Evidently a simple prayer of salvation isn't enough if it isn't followed by heartfelt righteous living.
The Scriptures warn of such living on several occasions: - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see," Revelation 3:15-18.
- "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:21-23.
- "Faith by itself when it is no accompanied by actions is dead and useless," James 2:17.
Lukewarm faith can't really be called "faith" can it? We must all guard against such in our lives or we may fall prey to this dangerous ploy of the enemy. What are the warning signs of being moderate in your walk? Well, consider these areas of concern...
Do you have passion for the truth of the Scriptures or are you happy with what you have always been taught?
Are you sarcastic when people speak of their relationship with YHWH?
When you obey the Bible is it simply because the Bible commands obedience or because you love Y'shua and you are thankful for his sacrifice on the tree?
How often do you read the Bible because you love YHWH's word and His presence?
When was the last time you shared the good news of Messiah (not your favorite doctrine) with someone that doesn't know the Savior?
Is your religious life motivated by fear or love?
Lukewarm people ask "how far can I go without sinning?" instead of "how can I love YHWH more through following His plan for my life?" It's compared to being salt that has no flavor in Luke 14. This comparison goes even farther to state that "if salt loses its saltiness it is neither fit for the soil nor for the manure pile." In essence, lukewarm faith would ruin manure. Would your faith ruin poop or can you heal the sick and manifest spiritual gifts to minister to others?
Having a type of faith that denies the power of YHWH is an indifferent unenthusiastic lifestyle that endangers your soul. It's exactly where the Satan wants you to be and exactly where you shouldn't be. Please note that you don't start out apathetic to YHWH. We are born separated from YHWH in a cold dark state. Then we are transformed into the kingdom of light and warmth by accepting the gift of salvation. It's natural to be red hot and full of zeal after conversion but sadly that spiritual high doesn't last forever. The cares of this world, the busyness of life, and the cruelness of people often choke out our vibrant life and joy. We also become lukewarm or halfhearted to spiritual things because of the oppression of the enemy.
Oppression is the exercise of the enemy's power over your life in a cruel or burdensome way. Evil political rulers oppress people and take away their freedom. The evil one wants to oppress you and take away your joy and spiritual freedom to love YHWH and love other people. Oppression may even be more dangerous than demonic possession. How? Well, it's easy to spot evil when people are being blatantly bad. It's those who claim to know the Savior but act one way at worship and other way during the week spoil the Bible's message of transformation. That's why the Scriptures are clear to point out that the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor prostitutes nor homosexual offenders or thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or extortionists will have no place in the Kingdom of heaven.
Imagine that you are running a marathon while trying to eat huge chocolate cake. This task pretty much impossible. You would have to stop running to eat the decedent dessert. In the same way, you have to stop loving and pursing Y'shua in order to sin. Oppression may initially stop you from feeling YHWH's presence but you don't have to stay in this state of demonic domination. You can post bail on the prison of oppression. "Y'shua went about doing good and healing all who were sick and oppressed of the devil," Acts 10:38. The Messiah came to bring freedom to the captives so that those who call upon His name can be established in righteousness and oppression can be far from us, Isaiah 54:14. True independence from Satan's ploys is found when we turn our attention and focus away from our problems, issues, quips, and self and instead focus on Y'shua in us. Our faith is affective through the acknowledgement of every good thing that exists in us in Y'shua, Philemon 1:9. The middle ground of oppression is dangerous territory that must be avoided.
Being independent might be okay for politics but it's a dangerous place to be for people who claim to know the Messiah. Instead of lukewarm oppressed faith we should be obsessed with YHWH and our personal relationship with Y'shua should be the priority of our lives. Being obsessed with YHWH means that you are emotionally and physically changed by what has happened to you spiritually. It doesn't mean that you are obsessed with changing your behavior to fit a certain code or dogma. Obsessed believers are obsessed with the Messiah Y'shua and His presence in their lives. They read the Bible because they want to and they worship with others because they want to.
An obsessed believer thinks that YHWH Y'shua is the best thing that has have ever happened to them. Y'shua told the story of a man who found a treasure in a field. He then went, sold all he had, and bought the field. The kingdom of heaven is the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price. Do you think like this or are you comfortable?
People who are obsessed with YHWH do things differently...they bless those who mistreat them; are concerned more YHWH's truth than the status quo of religion; are givers and not takers; and have a passionate love for YHWH more than anything and everything. They are concerned about the letter of the Law and the Spirit of the Law and constantly seek to live in the balance of Spirit and Truth.
Passionate fervent believers consider faith a way of life and not just a Sunday school lesson. Their lives are not totally planned out because they are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh to lead them daily. Hebrews 11:6 says that "without faith it is impossible to please YHWH." Does this describe you? What are you doing right now that requires faith? Ephesians 2:10 says that we were created to do good works which YHWH prepared in advance for us. Life as a follower of Messiah should be a life of vibrant faith full of obedience, joy, love, service, and mercy.
After Peter's message at Shavuot / Pentecost the people were convicted in their heart and questioned, "what shall we do?" We must ask that same question today. YHWH wants us to be on fire for him and not oppressed of the enemy. In Revelation 3 we read of an assembly that thought they were on the right track with their deeds. They considered themselves righteous but in reality were naked. - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see," Revelation 3:15-18.
Spiritual gold, or the purity of YHWH, is what you need and nothing else. What is spiritual "gold" exactly? Gold in the Bible is symbolic of purity, specifically the purity of holiness. Gold is purified with fire until the impurities float to the top and are skimmed off. YHWH is the refiner's fire and uses the events of life to bring about his purity. We are told in Revelation to realize who wretched our self-righteous lukewarm life is and buy gold. We aren't to borrow the gold or ask someone to give it to us. No, pure gold is expensive and we must be willing to pay the price so that we can become truly rich.
It is only the empowering of the Holy Spirit that can bring lasting change for us and in us. Elections will come and go. Political pundits will rise and fall. The promise of the campaign trail will surely be forgotten. May the all-consuming fire of YHWH's Ruach be allowed burn in us until all that is left is an enthusiastic obsession for the holiness of heaven.
Selah.
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