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PROGRAM D-8356
Have you noticed how often you and I are willing to live in mediocrity? God has been convicting me of this in my own life, as I’ve been amazed to see how often I settle for something less than what I can do and be through the power of Jesus Christ.
Webster tells us that mediocre means only ordinary quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate. In other words, you won’t get fired for mediocrity; you won’t be expelled from school for it; likely your relationships won’t crumble and deteriorate completely because they are mediocre. Mediocrity is not fatal.
However, do you remember what John wrote in Revelation to the church at Laodicea? He said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot not cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
Mediocrity is lukewarmness. If you’re living in mediocrity, you’re not a disgrace to your family or to the testimony of Jesus Christ. In fact, people may think you’re okay because, in comparison to others, you look pretty good. But we live lukewarm lives when we are anything less than what we could be.
Mediocre for you may be better than most people’s best efforts. But if you know that you are not living up to the potential of the gifts and opportunities that God has given you, you’re living in mediocrity. God doesn’t compare us to others. He compares us to what he knows we could be through Christ.
It would be better to be either hot or cold than to be lukewarm. Now, that’s an interesting statement, isn’t it? But think about it: Do you like a lukewarm drink? I like tea, but not lukewarm. Hot or cold is fine, but lukewarm is sickening. Lukewarm or mediocre Christians are hard for God to stomach, too.
Imagine this: If all the lukewarm, mediocre Christians were identified and discarded by God, how many of us would be left? How many of us go for excellence in everything we do? How many of us are continually growing in every area of our life, stretching and becoming all that God’s power allows us to be?
I’m going to delve into this subject of mediocrity or lukewarmness and share with you some of the things God has been convicting me of in my own life.