Three Alternatives

Three Alternatives

The lukewarm state is the worst and the most common state among believers. Being cold is the next worst. Both of these states are reprehensible.

The only state that is acceptable to the Bridegroom is (according to the French translation) to be boiling hot!!! The utter seriousness of it! What a clear translation!

Who has been boiling hot—for the good, against the evil, and for every single virtue? Who has been boiling hot against every vice, in his care for each and every one and in every situation, without exception??? I have to judge myself. By God’s grace and guidance, I discovered this effective French translation, and I have no misgivings in this matter since then.

I have also searched in a more comprehensive French dictionary as to the different meanings this French word may have, and there wasn’t a single word as weak and dull as “warm.” I found only these words: boiling hot, seething, and similar words.

On careful reflection, I have come up with three different reasons why we should definitely be boiling hot at all times:

1. Because both the Father and the Son loved us so indescribably much and sacrificed so very much in order to save us; because They were so infinitely gracious and longsuffering with us and forgave us and were forbearing with so unspeakably much. Therefore we ought to love Them so highly in return that our hearts are on fire and at the boiling point to do all God’s will faithfully, with unceasing ardor, and exceeding joy.

2. Because what He has called us to, namely, to partake of His own divine and glorious nature, is so indescribably precious, so sincerely good, that it is utterly meaningless if our hearts are not boiling with fervency in order to obtain it!

3. Because sin and evil in all areas are so dangerous and fateful, and so thoroughly corrupting, that hardly anyone understands it fully! This is precisely why it is indescribably foolish and indefensible if we do not hate the very essence of sin with red-hot and white-hot, boiling hot hearts.

There is an extremely noteworthy sentence by Paul in Romans 12:11: “Not lagging [lukewarm] in diligence . . . .”

This corresponds quite well to the strong French translation in Revelation 3:15 and 16.

Paul says in Romans 12 that even zealous brothers can be lukewarm in the midst of their zeal! And where are those who are not even zealous? And what shall become of them in the end?

They are correct and true and good, but far too slothful and lukewarm! Only one thing is good enough: “Therefore be zealous and repent” and become boiling hot!

A boiling hot greeting to all of you.

In deep thankfulness for this French translation—