God Supports Those Who Are Resolute

Decisive people always move the heart of God. On the other hand, the indecisive, wavering person displeases Him. The apostle James says: A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let such a person not think, then, that he will receive anything from the Lord

(James 1:7 and 8).

Apparently, the believers in the church at Laodicea had abundant material resources—financially strong congregations with influential members. But spiritually, those congregations were decrepit. There was much worldliness in the Body, and a lack of resolve and clarity about the call to holiness and consecration to the Lord.

In His letter to the churches, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the apostle John, warns the church at Laodicea: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot! But because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15 and 16). Evidently, their lack of commitment and consecration, spiritual pride, and superficiality of spirit were immensely offensive to the Holy Spirit. In truth, God saw this church as “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” A devastating spiritual verdict!

I wonder how many churches today God sees in the same way. His requirements have not changed. Perhaps we are quite comfortable with our divided loyalties and our ease, but in God’s eyes, we do not deserve to be channels of His power or His holiness. The only thing that pleases Him is a red-hot spirituality, thirsty for His power and His presence. It takes a surrendered life, total commitment, a 180-degree turn. We must say goodbye to our past conduct and keep our gaze firmly fixed on the new way of life God has destined for us.

The gifts of the Spirit, the power of God, require an atmosphere and an attitude of resolve and consecration in order to manifest themselves fully. That is the raw material the Spirit uses to channel His power on earth and to impart power and effectiveness to His Church’s efforts in evangelism and Christian service.

The people who receive miracles from God, who live lives of power and effectiveness, are those who have removed all divided loyalties and indecision from their hearts, thrown themselves desperately into the arms of the Lord, died to the world and the demands of the flesh, and live with their eyes resolutely fixed on eternity. God is waiting for a consecrated, resolute people so that He may show His power on their behalf and through them. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Lord, and prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).