Being called and chosen as a son of God (disciple of Christ) can at times become discouraging when we experience failure.  However, when we prayerfully evaluate the reasons for failure, we receive new grace and courage to continue until we succeed.  

Half-hearted mentality

Serving Christ half-heartedly is a definite threat to our dominion and success as sons of God.  We often start the journey with excitement but eventually struggle with a lack of zeal for that which once gave us a “leap in the womb”.  The fire that you once experienced that enabled you to serve effortlessly has left you and you are suddenly unable to go beyond the bare minimum.  

Like the Shulamite woman who became half-hearted in her intimacy with the Beloved (Song 5:2-6), you fail to act promptly and enthusiastically when called out of your comfort zone.  She refused to get up and open the door for her Beloved, and when she eventually opened up, he has left.

Before long your lukewarmness will nauseate God and He will vomit you out.    The Laodicean church was a lukewarm church.  “Laodicea” means the rights of the people.  They were so concerned about human rights and democracy in the church, that they voted Jesus out!  And in Revelation 3:20 Jesus was the Beloved standing outside, knocking to come in!  

When Joash, instructed by Elisha to strike the ground with arrows, did so half-heartedly, it resulted in a partial victory over Syria (2 Ki 13:14-19).  This shows how a lack of zeal in following divine instructions can lead to missed opportunities and incomplete victories.

There are so many factors that contribute to a lack of spiritual engagement, hindering success and intimacy with God.  One of them is the prevalence of iniquity all around us.  To see the enemy prospering may discourage you from overcoming your daily battles.  You may also be so preoccupied with yourself that you become lukewarm.  Ungratefulness may harden your heart and cause you to fail.  God rebuked the Israelites for spiritual apathy, saying, “But when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot Me”. (Hos 13:6)

God is looking for a company that will seek Him with all of their hearts.  The Kingdom suffers violence and the violent takes it by force (Matt 11:12). The violent are those who are full of zeal about the Kingdom of God.  Let us rise up with zeal!  We have come so far, se cannot afford to fail because of lukewarmness. 

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. – Romans 12:11-13 (ESV)