by Steve Higginbotham
True or False – God is a rewarder of those, who with mediocrity, seek him.
Those who know their Bible well, will answer, “False,” recognizing that the above statement is a bit of a “twist” of what Hebrews 11:6 says. What the Bible actually says is that God “is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Why then are there so many mediocre Christians? It’s not like we haven’t been adequately warned. Consider these explicit passages.
Lukewarm Christians (another word for mediocre) are sickening to Jesus. Therefore, he counsels them to repent and be zealous (Revelation 3:16,19).
We are to seek first, above all things in our lives, the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). We must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). The over-arching theme of the “Sermon on the Mount” was that we must possess a
“righteousness that exceeds” (Matthew 5:20). We must be “zealous for good works,” (Titus 2:14) and “rich in good works” (1 Timothy
6:18). We must give diligence to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15). And God will reward those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Friends, I don’t know how God can make it any clearer. Being a mediocre, nominal, lukewarm Christian is not sufficient to go to Heaven. Who says so? Not me, God – right there in black and white.
I’m afraid the body of Christ may consist of a great number of people who are mediocre, nominal, lukewarm Christians. I’m also afraid that if we don’t remind Christians, with urgent appeals, many souls will be lost.
Friends, the inability to motivate some Christians to take advantage of Bible classes, and worship services throughout the week, gives me great concern. I understand why some can’t, but I’m afraid I also understand why others won’t.
Count this as a warning from one who needs to heed it too. Church attendance is not the measure of seeking God with diligence, but one cannot successfully deny that it is an indicator of it. “All things are ready, come to the feast” (Luke 14:16-24).