Todd, you’re leaving in just a few minutes,” Brian said. “Will you listen carefully to what I’m saying?”
Todd sighed. “Sure, Bri. Go ahead.”
“Look, Todd, I know you think you’re a Christian because you believe . . . but believing’s not enough. Even Satan believes in God! You have a heart that God wants to use. But he needs all of it.”
“I just don’t wanna quit having fun.”
“Todd, you can still have fun—but the right kind of fun. I gotta tell you, man, I’ve never been more fulfilled than since I totally gave my life to Christ.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it all, Brian. But I’m not sure I can quit doing the stuff I know God doesn’t want me to do.”
“Todd, do you realize what Jesus says about those who play the game?”
“Whaddya mean?”
“Riding the fence—having a foot in the church and a foot in the world. He calls it being lukewarm.”
“That’s like room temperature, right?”
“Yeah, sort of. It’s a combination of hot and cold. He tells us to make a decision—to be really hot, or to go ahead and just be cold. But if we’re lukewarm (if we’re in the middle), he’ll spew us from his mouth.”
“Spew?!? What . . . you mean like . . . vomit?”
“Yeah,” Brian said. “That’s pretty strong, huh?”
“Sure is,” Todd agreed. “Okay, here’s the deal, Bri. I’m scared. I’m afraid if I make a total commitment to Christ, I’ll fail. I’m human, man! What if I blow it?”
“That’s where forgiveness comes in. When you approach God with a repentant heart, he’ll forgive.”
“You mean, I won’t have to start all over again?”
“No, Todd, you don’t have to start over again. If you’re truly repentant and genuinely desire to follow Christ with all your life, he’ll forgive you when you ask. At that point, you accept his forgiveness and keep walking with him.”
“That’s what I want, Brian! That’s what I really want!”
“Are you willing to give God all of your life—even the stuff you know doesn’t please him?”
“Yeah, I am, Brian. I said it was fun . . . but it’s also miserable at the same time. I’m tired of the guilt. If God can really equip me to live the way he wants me to live, I’m ready to give him everything.”
Know It!
God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but he does expect obedience and commitment.
Read It!
1 John 1:5-6; 2:1-2; Revelation 3:15-16
Pray It!
Thank Jesus for his forgiveness and his desire to help you be all he calls you to be.
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