Jump Right In!

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Tuesday, October 25, 2005

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot." —Revelation 3:15

Shortly after I became a Christian, I attempted to live in two worlds—and quickly found the futility of it. I was a little bit uncomfortable with Christians, who seemed a little too fanatical for me. But when I tried to hang around with my old friends again, I was no longer happy with them. I immediately felt out of place. And for a short time, I was in a so-called spiritual no man's land. Fortunately, another Christian took me under his wing and invited me to Bible study and to church. Then I really recognized the value of a complete commitment to Jesus Christ.

Yet a lot of people will try to do what I attempted to do. They want to know that when they die, they are going to heaven. But at the same time, they want to live just as they please.

It's a little bit like getting into the water at the beach. I have found that the best way to get in is to just dive in. But the other day, I went in slowly. I waded in up to my ankles, then a little farther, up to my knees. I thought, "This is ridiculous! I have to make a decision." So I finally dove in. And once I did that, it was fine.

In the same way, when we try to live in an in-between state spiritually, it just doesn't work. That is why Jesus said He would prefer that we were either hot or cold rather than lukewarm (see Revelation 3:15–16). You must decide. If you are going to be a Christian, then be a Christian. And give it your all.

Used with Permission