One Foot In One Foot Out

I have to admit. I've watched wrestling on TV. I used to love the big hype before matches and the challenges, the stare-downs, the threats of what one opponent was going to do to the other. Some of the big boxing matches were the same, but most of the time the match turned into more talk than fight.

Today's Bible story is a classic and when you look at the competitors it looked like it would be no competition. In one corner was the prophet Elijah, the challenger and great man of God who was used by the Lord to speak some sense into the Israelites. His opponent was well, it was more than one, try 850 prophets. The big difference in this match was that Elijah had God in his corner and his 850 prophets worshipped Baal and Asherah, both pagan gods of the time.

The reason Elijah challenged them was he was tired of the people bouncing between God and pagan idols. So instead of taking the match to the ring, Elijah took it to Mt. Carmel and offered this. "Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, 'How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two options? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!' But the people were completely silent." 1Kings 18:21

Perhaps the silence was the guilt they felt for trusting in God then turning their backs on Him. I encourage you to read the rest of the story where of course God wins with a knockout (literally), but the takeaway for us is what Elijah was calling out the people for. One foot in, one foot out.

The people wanted to follow God sometimes and worship Baal and Asherah poles when they thought He was slow. We may not know about Baal and Asherah today, but substitute worldly things that take our focus off God. He wants all of us. He wants fully committed, fully surrendered and fully dependent followers who will supply all our glorious riches.

God is not impressed that we go to church on Sunday's. He's not impressed we show up at Easter and Christmas Eve services. There is a word for this kind of Christian lifestyle and it's called lukewarm. We often associate lukewarm with water. It's the kind that's not too hot and not too cold. Lukewarm can fool you into thinking you won't get burned or you won't freeze, but instead nothing happens.

Revelation 3:15-16 gives us Jesus' insight into lukewarmness as he tells the church in Laodicea. "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Yuk

I encourage us today to assess our walk with Jesus. Are we fully committed to Him? Do we walk with Him and talk with Him? Do we spend time with Him in His word? I heard a great quote from a conference last week and here's my chance to use it. If you were on trial for being a believer in Jesus Christ would there be enough evidence to convict you?

If your answer to any of the above is no, don't fret. God is not mad at you and His grace is sufficient, but make today the day you come back to Him and guess what will happen? It will be victory over the devil with a knockout.