Today’s thought is a plea to anyone who is a backslider, lukewarm, a good person, and/or a non-believer in Jesus. Whoever you are “You Don’t Belong THERE!”.

    First, to the backslider, “You Don’t Belong THERE!”. In 2 Peter 2, it talks about the false teachers and their destructive behavior. Peter also warns anyone who listens to them in verses 19-21 by saying, “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command, they were given to live a holy life.”

     To the lukewarm, “You Don’t Belong THERE!”. To be lukewarm simply means you are neither cold nor hot. The Word of God describes this person as someone who hasn’t fully denied Jesus, but they aren’t living for Him either. Titus 1:16 says, “Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” The lukewarm person is being further warned in Revelation 3:15-16 when it says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

     To the good person, “You Don’t Belong THERE!”. Many people believe because they are a “good” person then that will get them to Heaven. This is a lie. Luke 18:18-19 reminds us of what Jesus said, “Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: ‘Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Only God is truly good.’” Then Philippians 3:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Your good deeds apart from Jesus and the Holy Spirit working in you is meaningless.

     Lastly, to the non-believer, “You Don’t Belong THERE!”. Jesus came to pay the ultimate price for you. You didn’t ask Him but because of His love for you, He did it anyway. John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” I plead with you this day to surrender your life to Jesus! 2 Corinthians 4:4 warns you by saying, “If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

     Enough said….. ”You Don’t Belong THERE!”.

“You Don’t Belong THERE!” Plea: Lord, this warning is for the backslider, the lukewarm, the person who thinks he/she is a good person, and/or for the non-believer in Jesus. Because you are so gracious and full of love and compassion, you have allowed each person a free-will. However, Lord, I am coming to you on that person’s behalf asking that the Holy Spirit will prick their hearts. That the Holy Spirit will touch their minds. You are not only the better way, but you are also the best way, Jesus! I’m asking you Lord for that person to run to you and ask you, “What must I do to be saved?” They simply need to repent of their sins, confess that Jesus is Lord, and that he died for their sins! Your word says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” Jesus, I am looking to you to do what only you can do in the life of the person who is reading this. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.