THE LUKEWARM DISEASE
Author unknown

From all sources that I can find, the “lukewarm disease” is by far the most fatal that man can contract, including such diseases as TB, leukemia, or cancer.

All diseases seem to have certain symptoms. The “lukewarm disease” seems to affect most parts of the body. It is also highly contagious. It passes from one person to another and soon there are whole groups that are affected. If the disease isn’t stopped, its effects are not just external, but also Eternal.

Listed below are a few of the known symptoms of “lukewarm disease”:

1. It affects the mind in that a person stops seeking to learn and teach.

2. It affects the ears in that a person only hears what he wants to hear, thus destroying faith.

3. It affects the eyes in that a person no longer sees or follows the “strait and narrow.”

4. It affects the mouth in that a person no longer speaks the word of God or offers up singing and prayer on a regular basis.

5. It affects the neck in that a person cannot bow his head in prayer.

6. It affects the arms and hands in that a person no longer does the physical labors that are essential in a Christian’s life.

7. It affects the heart in that a person’s love for God grows cold.

8. It affects the legs and feet in that a person no longer gets to services or visits those needing encouragement.

9. It also affects the stomach in that a person is not able to digest the stronger meat of the word but lives only on milk.

10. The infected mind, heart, and hands together affect a person’s giving, whether it be of money, physical help, or spiritual love.

Do you know of anyone that has the “lukewarm disease?” Not all have every symptom. Not all the symptoms need to be present to affirm that you or someone else has the disease. The “lukewarm” person is a most undependable human being. He faces separation from God. We might hate all earthly diseases, but the “Great Physician” dislikes the “lukewarm disease” most of all.

As bad as the “lukewarm disease” is, it can be cured. The “Great Physician” can cure you of this disease. The prescribed cure would be a big dose of Faith and a shovel full of Work.

If you have the “lukewarm disease,” now is the time to take the cure. Have faith in the Lord and his word for the day is coming when man shall work no more. See Revelation 3:16 for what will happen to the lukewarm.

We want to be like Jesus, but we prefer to walk with Him in triumph over palm branches, not under the weight of the cross. We would like to have a scepter, but not a shepherd’s staff.

Would you be like Jesus? Then gird yourself with the towel of lowly service, for Jesus was a servant to his people. 

“14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 3:14-22).

A View From The Pulpit
By James P. Needham

“When I preach there are some who say,
They could listen to me all day.
Others think I preach too long,
Or, that I go about it wrong.

Some say my sermon’s deep,
Others say I put them to sleep.
Some say I hold them spellbound,
Others squirm, and just look around.

Some call me an orator,
Others say I’m a perfect bore.
Some think I’ve too much fight,
Other’s think I preach just right.

Some affirm I’m much too bold,
Others say I’m much too old.
Some folks feel I’ve met success,
Others say my work’s a mess!

Some have said my pay’s too low,
As they observe the pace I go.
Others assert my salary’s peak,
Is far too high for three hours a week!

From all of this it’s plain to see,
That as a preacher, I’m up a tree!
I can’t please men of such discord,
So, I’ll just try to please the Lord! 

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).