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Growing up as a little boy in the village, cooking with firewood was our usual custom. We didn’t have the privilege of using the modern cooking appliances that were powered by either electricity or gas. And because the kitchen was built outside of the main building in an open area, it was always in order to contend with flies in the kitchen, especially when no cooking was taking place. Really, it can be very irritating and discomforting, when you take up a spoon of rice to eat in the kitchen and one demon possessed fly decides to perch on the food. But the moment we set the woods on fire for cooking, every fly disappears. There’s this atmosphere of serenity that returns to the kitchen. The entire flies suddenly take to their heels because they know the imminent danger of staying close to the fire.

Now, as a Christian, if you’re not on fire, you’re prone to demonic disturbance, irritations, and attacks. Like the flies that run for their lives at the sight of fire, every demon in your vicinity goes into hiding when you’re hot for God. Listen, you can’t afford to be lukewarm and enjoy the presence of God in your life. You must stay hot, not for some time, but as a lifestyle. Leviticus 6:12 declares, “And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning.” You must ensure that you tend to your altar of fire every day. The fire must not go out if you’re to survive the bombardments of Satanic arrows (Ephesians 6:10-18). While addressing the church in Laodicea, Jesus said to them, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I 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 3:15-16).

What really was the problem of the Laodicean Church? The answer is simple. They were casual Christians. They had one leg in the church, and the other leg outside of the church. In other words, they were neither here nor there. They were skilled in practicing deceptive Christianity. As a result, the anger of the Lord was kindled against them. What Jesus expected of them is to make their position clear. If you’re hot, let’s see it. If you’re equally cold let us know. Either case, we know where you stand. And if you need help to get hot, we will know how to administer the right medication that you need. But when you’re between and betwixt – Lukewarm – it becomes a huge dilemma to offer help to you. And Jesus said in this instance, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

Beloved, isn’t the above situation what we see today in the church. Is it not strange for someone to be born again for over 20 years but still in the same spot with no visible growth spiritually? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 5:12-13, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.” Yes, because many today keep drinking milk when they should be eating solid food, they have become stunted in their growth, and then malfunction spiritually. This is why you see a tongue talking believer in Christ Jesus, but still smoking and drinking beer, committing fornication and adultery, stealing from the church as an usher, still keeping malice, always taking offence at every slightest provocation, unforgiving, and sowing discord amongst brethren.

What is cool and casual Christianity? It simply means to be carefree and at ease when you’re supposed to be alert and watchful (Matthew 26:41). The Lord warns in Amos 6:1 saying, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.” You cannot resist Satan steadfastly in faith, when you’re at ease. Apostle Peter admonishes us by saying, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (1 Peter 1:5-9).

As believers, you and I cannot grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, when we’re casual Christians who are not diligent to pay heed to God’s command so we can become mature believers in Christ. The bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1 that, “In the last days perilous times shall come.” Beloved, perilous times are here already. Look around you and see the level of evil happening in the world today. You know what? As we stay hot for God, “We will not be among those who draw back to perdition, but among those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrew 10:39). Remember, you cannot be both hot and cold at the same time. Therefore, stay hot. If you’re cold, you permit little demons to gain access to dance and play around your vicinity. So, increase the heat. Do not lower the temperature. At this hour, cool and casual Christianity will take you nowhere. It can only take a radical Christianity to see lives transformed, cities changed, and positive things taking place in our society.

Hallelujah! Have a Blessed and Fantastic Week. With love, Elvis!