Farewell to Lukewarm

How often does your church give an altar call for salvation? Do they preach with a goal to save souls from destruction? If your spouse walked into a church service, after abandoning you...what would they hear?  Do you KNOW what your church believes?  Would you be directed to an altar or an attorney. Even though only separated, many are pointed toward divorce recovery classes, often the first step in finding a new mate. Or they encourage a spouse to get involved with the single's ministry, so that they have something to do!  We shake our heads in sadness, because we see that as a lukewarm stand. Believing God will restore your marriage can not be about recovering from divorce; singles' ministry is not waiting for your spouse to come home.  And, yes, I realize that many churches have both of these programs, and they encourage people to attend.

The motto of many churches in dealing with fractured marriage has shifted from "Hang on and let God work," to "Get mad, get over it, and get on with your life."  We rejoice when we hear about a pastor who has taken on a prodigal church member who walked away from family and faith, praying and praying, and praying some more; loving the unlovable, until that marriage is healed. We are thrilled when we hear of a pastor going the extra mile to show a confused, sin-filled prodigal they are still loved, both by that pastor and by their God. 

How often from the pulpit at your church do you hear, "marriage restoration," or "marriage put back together again," or "marriage restored," or marriage healed," or anything along that line?" Just consider what would happen if every pastor in the world was praying for marriage restoration every week! That is where we need to be. If we are praying for the sick, why not the sick marriages?  We get so excited when it happens at our church.  Maybe this is NEW for your church....maybe God has you in a place to shed new light.  BUT you have got to make a decision for yourself  and your family that you are no longer accepting lukewarm.  The Bible even talks about it being better if you are cold!!!  If you do not want to believe in God's restoration power for your marriage, that's fine. BUT stop saying you do and then going to the single's group!

There may come a day when your prodigal spouse goes to church or sits down with a pastor. We pray they will be given a straightforward answer; not looking for loopholes, but a man of God sharing what the Bible says about marriage, divorce, and the family. Your prodigal needs to be directed home, not into another relationship. We need to pray there are pastors like that across the land.

A couple years ago, as Josh and I were in the beginning stages of the healing process, I (Serena) went to see a counselor at our church.  I went there looking for advice as to what I could do to help the healing and health of our marriage.  What I got was not what I expected.  I was told that I was dumb and ignorant for allowing Josh back into my home.  As a stander I (Serena) actually had to write a letter to one of our pastors explaining my stand for marriage and that I was NOT thrilled that I was given advice to seek a divorce.   I realize a lot of pain can be caused by allowing a spouse that is not fully committed, but it is NOT dumb or ignorant to believe that GOD is capable of changing hearts.  Pray that MORE people will stand and fight against the enemy and his attack on marriages.  It is not too late to stop the slide to destruction of individuals, families, churches, and then society. Do you stand for marriage? Or does it just sound good?

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy because I am holy." I Peter 1:15

Ultimately it is each person's choice to be hot or cold...BUT we pray that you will make a choice.  It may be much more difficult to keep water boiling and hot, but it's worth it in the end.  Or even ice water...gotta keep putting in something to stay cold.  To be lukewarm takes NO effort...no drive...no heart...no passion! Have passion for something!

Josh and Serena